Abusing young girl over six-year period.

Trowbridge Man Jailed for Sexually Abusing Young Girl

Richard Webb, 65, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for six counts of indecent assault against a young girl. The abuse took place between 1996 and 2002, and Webb was found guilty after a four-day trial at Winchester Crown Court.

The victim, who was a child at the time of the abuse, spoke about the impact it has had on her life. "I feel as though those years are lost to me," she said. "It feels like I have disassociated myself from most of my childhood. He ruined my life. I don't think I will ever get over what he did to me. I will forever be trying to deal with the abuse I suffered."

DC Lauren Barnard, from Wiltshire Police, praised the victim for her courage in coming forward. "It is clear from the impact statement from the victim just how much she has suffered and continues to suffer to this day as a result of the abuse inflicted upon her by Webb," Barnard said. "His actions have deprived someone of a happy childhood, purely for his own sexual gratification. His actions are abhorrent and I am pleased he will now serve a custodial sentence for his behaviour."

Barnard also emphasized the importance of reporting abuse. "I would like to take this opportunity to praise the victim for bravely reporting her ordeal to police – this was the first time she had ever spoken to anybody about exactly what she had been through," she said. "Without her bravery, we would not have been able to put Webb before the courts for justice to be served."