Man jailed for sexually assaulting babysitters

15 March 2010, 12:06 | Updated: 17 March 2010, 08:06

A Wallingford man who came home early to sexually assault three girls babysitting for him, has been jailed for more than three years.

The attacks happened in Reading between 1978 and 1987.  The victims of 64 year old Melvin Keates (pictured) from Saint Nicholas Road - who had to relive in court what happened - are now grown up with children of their own.

Keates had a number of girls who would babysit for him and the court heard that he would return early and force them to perform indecent acts.

Keates has been found guilty of eight charges of indecent assault in a hearing at Oxford Crown Court.  He was cleared of a ninth.  He's been sentenced to a total of 3 years 9 months.

Detective Constable Pete Watts, from Reading CID, who led the investigation said: "Keates has never admitted the offences and his victims, all know grown women with children of their own, were forced to relive their ordeals in court

"The victims, who have never spoken to each other about the incidents, are all very pleased with the outcome of the case.

"Despite having to go through a very traumatic time at court and relive childhood incidents, they now feel that they continue to move on with the rest of their lives.

"Personally, I have witnessed first hand the courage of these victims and other witnesses during the 18 month long investigation and trial and I am delighted with both the verdict and the sentence.

"The result shows that Thames Valley Police and the Crown Prosecution Service will always treat victims of historic sexual assault cases with respect and compassion and will always seek to prosecute the offenders."