Man jailed for child sex offences

A 65-year-old man from Oxford has been jailed for three-and-a-half years for committing sexual offences against two children.

Robert Michael Ind, of Normandy Crescent, Cowley, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Monday, after admitting five counts of sexual touching and two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The charges relate to two girls and occurred between 2005 and 2012. One of the victims was aged between three and four-years-old at the time of the offences, while the other was aged between eight and nine-years-old.

As well as the custodial sentence, Ind will have to sign onto the Sex Offenders’ Register for the rest of his life and was given an indefinite Sex Offenders Prevention Order. He will also have to pay a £120 victims’ surcharge.

Police were alerted in January 2012 and a full investigation was carried out by officers with the Child Abuse Investigation Unit in Oxford. Ind was arrested the same month and in March 2012 was charged with seven offences.

He admitted the offences at the start of his trial in October 2012, but later applied to vacate his plea. This application was dismissed by a judge in February this year, resulting in the sentencing hearing on Monday.

Investigating officer Det Con Jeff Wheble said: “The abuse carried out on these two young girls was abhorrent.

“Ind told his victims to keep the abuse secret and warned them against telling anyone about it.

“Both victims have shown immense bravery in disclosing the abuse they have suffered.

“I hope the prison sentence given to Ind sends out a clear message to other victims of sexual abuse that they will be believed and fully supported if they can find the strength to contact police.”