Paedophile Jailed for Six Years for Historic Child Sex Offences

A 74-year-old man from Welwyn has been sentenced to six years in prison for historic child sex offences.

David Suter, of Glebe Road, appeared before St Albans Crown Court on Monday, having previously pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child.

The court heard that the abuse occurred in the Welwyn area between 2004 and 2008. Suter offered money to the victim, who was a child at the time, in exchange for sexual acts.

"The victim – who is now aged in her 30s – was vulnerable due to her difficult upbringing, and the abuse she suffered at Suter's hands caused her mental wellbeing to suffer," said Det Con Liz McGrath, from Hertfordshire Historic Child Abuse Investigation Unit. "It wasn't until 2019 that she felt able to disclose to police the details of what had happened to her. Suter was subsequently arrested and in January 2021, he was charged."

"The victim has shown incredible bravery and determination throughout the investigation and judicial process, which has been distressing for her. I hope she can find some peace and begin to move forward with her life now she has seen Suter have to answer to what he did," Det Con McGrath added.

Suter has been ordered to abide by the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 20 years and will remain on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.