Southampton Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Sexual Abuse of Two Girls

A Southampton man, Simon Haddon, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the sexual abuse of two girls. Haddon was convicted of nine counts of indecent assault, indecency with a child, and three specimen charges of rape against one of the victims.

"This was a dreadful and systematic sexual abuse of a very high order," Judge Derwin Hope told the 51-year-old. "Her impact statement speaks not only of the physical pain you caused her over the years but also the psychological damage you have done to her and how you robbed her of her childhood. It is said you seemed to be trying to paint yourself as the victim in this case. Nothing can be further from the truth."

Haddon, of Bluebell Road, Bassett, was also convicted of five charges of indecent assault on the other girl. He was arrested after one victim confided in her mother, who then informed the girl's boyfriend. The boyfriend spoke to the mother, who subsequently contacted the police.

Haddon, who denied the allegations, was also banned from working with children and placed under an indefinite sexual offences prevention order prohibiting him from being alone with a girl.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Wendy Rogers stated, "I would like to commend the strength of the victims and witnesses in this case, who together have ensured that this individual has been made to answer for his crimes. I would also like to thank the Independent Sexual Violence Advisers from Southampton Rape Crisis for their assistance and support."

Tracey Stovold, a spokesperson for the Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA) team, added, "It takes an enormous amount of courage for victims to come forward and report these types of offenses and they often do so not just to see justice being done but in the interests of protecting others."