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Monday, February 17, 2025

Man jailed for 25 years for decades of sexual abuse against young girls

A “calculating” paedophile who sexually abused young girls in a string of attacks over a number of years has been jailed for 25 years.

Thomas Watkinson, 60, was arrested in 2019 after a number of historical allegations were made against him.

After a painstaking investigation by detectives from Nottinghamshire Police he was charged with a range of sexual offences committed against three girls under the age of 14 years.

The offences took place in multiple addresses in Nottingham in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Officers from the force’s public protection team took detailed accounts from the complainants and interviewed several other key witnesses.

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Watkinson denied that any of the offences had happened and claimed his accusers were making them up.

The trial jury disagreed and convicted him of seven counts of gross indecency with a child under the age of 14 and a further seven counts of indecent assault against a child under 14.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday, Watkinson, of Recreation Drive, Shirebrook, was jailed for a total of 25 years.

Detective Constable Lucy Clarke, of Nottinghamshire Police, has been leading the investigation.

She said: “Watkinson was responsible for a horrendous and calculating catalogue of offences that would have gone unpunished without the bravery of his victims, who showed remarkable courage and stoicism in explaining so clearly what Watkinson had put them through all those years ago.

“Even though these offences happened a very long time ago we investigated them in exactly the same way we always do – with care, determination and professionalism. I am delighted that we have been able to get justice for these women. Although Watkinson’s despicable actions will always remain with them, I do hope that this very long sentence can bring them a sense of closure.

“I want to encourage anyone who has experienced sexual abuse to come forward and report it to us. You will be treated with dignity and sensitivity and we will do everything we can to support you.”

Watkinson was sentenced on the same day as another man was given a 16-year prison sentence for repeatedly raping and sexually abused a teenage girl.

Owen Wicks, 34, abused the girl on multiple occasions at addresses in Nottinghamshire and Kent over a four-year period.

Detectives at Nottinghamshire Police began an investigation in September 2019.

A jury at Nottingham Crown Court found Wicks guilty of seven sexual offences – five rapes and two sexual assaults.

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