A 73-year-old man will likely die in prison after he was given a lengthy jail sentence for non-recent child sex crimes.

Joseph Whitbread, from Milton Keynes, will spend the next 17 years behind bars after being found guilty of the following crimes:  

  • Three counts of indecent assault on a girl aged under 11-years-old
  • Two counts of indecency with a child
  • One count each of indecent assault on a girl aged under five-years-old
  • Indecent assault on a girl aged under 13-years-old
  • Attempted rape on a child under 13-years-old

The offences took place between 1966 and 2006 when Whitbread subjected multiple children, who are now in their 50s to 70s, to indecent assaults.

He was sentenced on November 22 following a 16-day trial at Oxford Crown Court.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Kelly Love-Williams said: “Joseph Whitbread is a dangerous individual whose offending spans many years.

“He subjected his victims to horrific sexual abuse and he abused those who trusted him.

“The victims have shown immense courage and bravery throughout this trial despite the trauma of having to relive what happened to them.

“This sort of crime will never be tolerated and we are pleased that the seriousness of the crimes has been reflected in the sentence.

“I hope this sentence demonstrates that age is not a barrier to conviction and brings some closure to the victims.”