Andrew Herbert, a 67-year-old man from Herefordshire, pleaded guilty to ten counts of indecent assault on young girls in the early 1970s. He was sentenced to a two-year community order, including rehabilitation activity and a curfew, for the abuse he committed in Bristol 50 years ago.

Despite the severity of the crimes, the judge, His Honour Judge Julian Lambert, acknowledged limitations in sentencing powers at the time of the offenses. He stated that if Herbert had committed the offenses today, he would be facing a lengthy prison sentence. However, due to the less stringent laws in the early 1970s, Herbert could only be sentenced to a few weeks in prison.

One of the victims, Liz Roberts, bravely waived her right to anonymity and spoke out about her ordeal. She shared her experience, emphasizing the importance of reporting abuse and seeking support. "I waited 50 years to tell my story as I didn't think anyone would care about what happened. That clearly isn't true and I only wish I'd reported it sooner," she said.

The judge ordered Herbert to pay £25,000 compensation to each of the victims. He highlighted the "lifelong oppression" the victims have endured as a result of the abuse. "The repressed voices of children have now resonated through half a century of suffering and turmoil," Judge Lambert said.

Herbert was also charged with two counts of rape, but he denied the charges. He was cleared of one count, and the jury failed to reach a verdict on the other. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided not to pursue the remaining charge.

Liz Roberts praised the support she received from the police, Safe Link, and SARSAS, which helped her throughout the investigation and court process. Both victims shared emotional impact statements, detailing the lasting psychological effects of the abuse they suffered.

The investigating officer, PC Becky Norton, from Avon and Somerset police, emphasized the lifelong impact of Herbert's actions on his victims. She commended them for speaking out in court and sharing their experiences. Det Supt Lisa Simpson, the force's lead for Rape and Serious Sexual Assault, lauded Liz Roberts for waiving her anonymity and highlighted the importance of supporting victims and holding offenders accountable.