Man charged over 1982 assault

31 March 2010, 09:20 | Updated: 31 March 2010, 13:25

Twenty eight years after a young girl was indecently assaulted in front of another near Didcot, police have charged a 45 year old man.

Adrian de Havilland from Wigan, who used to be known as Adrian Goodenough, was arrested on Monday 29 March 2010 after a Thames Valley Police team began looking back at forensic evidence relating to the unsolved case.  He was due to appear at Didcot Magistrates Court on Wednesday 31 March.

Two girls, aged 10 and 11, were walking in fields near Didcot in April 1982.  They were approached by a man who exposed himself and then indecently assaulted one of the girls in front of the other

Detective Superintendent Barry Halliday, Head of the Major Crime Review Team, said: "Thames Valley Police remain committed to the careful review and re-investigation of unsolved historic serious sexual assault and homicide cases.

"We have always re-examined unsolved crimes and a dedicated team of experts analyse and assess the cases, applying where appropriate new police powers and advances in technology and forensic science.

"This group of officers from the Major Crime Review Team, together with our partners, remain dedicated in our commitment for ensuring the very highest of standards of investigation are maintained in seeking justice for victims.

"Our neighbourhoods need to be assured that Thames Valley Police examine all such unsolved crimes and this latest case is one of a significant number of cases being developed."