Solihull Paedophile Is Jailed

A Solihull paedophile has been jailed for 22 years after being found guilty of historical sex offences.

Alan Read, aged 62 from Colesbourne Road, was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court last week after an eight day trial, where a jury unanimously found him guilty of 15 counts of rape, attempted rape and indecent assault.

The offences happened between 1987 and 2000 when his three victims (two boys and a girl) were aged between three and 14.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Karen Jones, from the force’s Public Protection Unit, said: "The offences came to light when the oldest victim found the courage to report the abuse he had suffered as a child.

"Read was arrested in May last year and a complex investigation began resulting in two further victims coming forward.

"Read had abused the young children while they were in his care and threatened them into silence, saying they wouldn’t be believed if they told anyone, the consequences of which have had a long lasting effect."

Read protested his innocence, but the jury took just eight hours to find him guilty of all counts and he was sentenced the same day. He will also remain on the Sex Offender Register indefinitely.

DC Jones added: "Read’s victims showed tremendous courage when giving evidence in court and I hope that his sentence brings them some sense of justice as they continue to come to terms with the abuse they suffered.

"I hope that their courage is an example to other people who have suffered abuse and have yet to come forward to report what has happened to them, even if it was several years ago. We have specially trained officers who can help survivors of sexual assault through every step of the process, from initial reporting to the court procedure.

"We work with a raft of other agencies who also provide support and comfort."