100-year-old WWII veteran sentenced over historic child sex abuse
A World War II veteran who turned 100 in March has been sentenced over the historic sexual abuse of a child he met through church decades ago.
A World War II veteran has been sentenced over the historic sexual abuse of a child he met through church.
Charles “Jim” Stoner, who turned 100 in March, was convicted in Tweed Heads Local Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to three offences involving a girl under 16.
Stoner appeared before the court in a wheelchair and received an 18-month community correction order, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Magistrate Geoff Dunlevy said the penalty stopped short of imprisonment but was more serious than a fine.
The court also heard of the lasting impact on the victim, who said she had spent decades struggling with the trauma.
“He has gone on living his best life without a care or concern for the havoc and trauma to me, while I have had to fight and fight hard just to stay alive,” she said, according to The Daily Telegraph.
The woman said the abuse left her with severe anxiety and agoraphobia.
“I became agoraphobic, I couldn’t go outside to the letterbox or hang washing on the line until I had checked to make sure no one was out there … I couldn’t go to the supermarket by myself,” she said.
She also said the trauma damaged her self-worth for decades and left her struggling to believe she was worthy of love.
Stoner met the victim, who was then aged under 10, through the Billy Graham Crusades outreach mission at Tamworth Baptist Church, court documents showed.
The offending spanned the 1960s and 1970s, including during Sunday afternoons when Stoner was entrusted with caring for the girl.
Court material states he sexually abused her while they watched films at home.
Court material also details an incident in which Stoner went to the girl’s home while she was alone and unwell with bronchitis, telling her he was there to check on her.
The girl’s mother later confronted Stoner after she disclosed the abuse, but he remained silent as his wife accused the child of lying.
“The abuse did stop but by this time I was an emotional mess,” the victim said.
She reported the abuse to police in April 2024 after Stoner approached her at Australia Day celebrations, a decision she said rippled through her family.
Stoner later penned a written apology acknowledging his “unforgivable” actions and the lasting harm they had caused.
He served in the British Royal Air Force Airfield Construction Wing during World War II.
UK Man found guilty of multiple child sex offences
Robert Wilson was convicted of 28 offences against three victims over a period of twenty years.
A 42-year-old man's been found guilty of 28 child sexual offences against three victims- that spanned over the course of twenty years.
Robert Wilson, of HMP Norwich, was convicted of offences including rape, sexual assault and child cruelty.
He denied all charges against him, however after an 11-day trial, the jury convicted him after hearing evidence from victims and witnesses.
Detective Constable Ellie Brown said: "This outcome is a testament to the courage and resilience shown by the victims, who came forward to report years of abuse and gave evidence throughout the investigation and court proceedings.
"Wilson abused his position as an adult to manipulate, control and exploit children for his own gratification, leaving the victims fearful and causing lasting harm.
"Throughout our investigation, officers worked closely with the victims to support them through what has been an extremely difficult process. We assisted them throughout the criminal justice process and helped them give their evidence in court using special measures.
"Their bravery has ensured a dangerous offender has been held accountable for his actions.
"We know that sexual abuse can have a profound and lifelong impact. I hope this conviction sends a clear message that no matter how much time has passed, we will listen, we will investigate and we will do everything we can to bring offenders before the courts.
"If you have been a victim of abuse, or have concerns about someone you know, please come forward and speak to us."
Wilson will be sentenced in December.
Neath Port Talbot couple jailed after sexual exploitation of child
A man and woman from Neath Port Talbot have been jailed after the woman was found guilty of facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child by the man.
40-year-old Victoria Lewis, from Neath, arranged for an indecent photograph to be taken of the child in mid-2023. During the same period, she also arranged the travel of the child with a view to her being exploited, as well as intentionally arranging an act which would involve the commission of an offence under any of sections 9 to 13 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
40-year-old Shaun Lewis, from Sandfields, made numerous sexual requests and demands of the victim, both directly and through Victoria Lewis.
Victoria Lewis pleaded not guilty to charges of arranging the sexual exploitation of a child aged 13-17, arranging the commission of an offence of sexual activity with a child, and arranging the travel of another person with a view to exploitation in December 2024. However, she was found guilty of all three charges following trial in April this year.
Victoria Lewis has been sentenced to four years in prison.
Shaun Lewis pleaded guilty to two counts of arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child, one count of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, and one count of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
He has been sentenced to 12 years in prison, comprising seven years plus a five-year extended licence.
Both have notification requirements for life.
Detective Constable Amanda Jenkins said:
“This has been a particularly depraved case which has involved Victoria Lewis arranging for a child to meet with a man that she knew would sexually exploit her.
“What Victoria Lewis has done is sickening, and to think about what the child has gone through because of Victoria Lewis is horrifying.
“We cannot praise the victim enough for the bravery she has shown to tell police what happened to her and secure justice against a despicable woman – and that is before even mentioning Shaun Lewis’s part in the offending.”
We never underestimate how difficult it is for survivors of sexual abuse to speak out and report.
But we hope cases like this one provide reassurance that victims will be listened to, treated with dignity and respect, and will be supported throughout the judicial process.
If you have been sexually abused, and you are not yet ready to report to police, please don’t suffer in silence. A wealth of information and details of support services can be found here.
These two perverts appear to be married with children.
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