An Eden Valley pensioner brought to court for repeatedly molesting a schoolgirl more than quarter of a century ago after he finally confessed his crimes to a GP has been sentenced by a judge.
Dennis Elwood, now 74, made revelations last year to a doctor whom he told, Carlisle Crown Court heard today, that he wanted to get something off his chest.
It emerged Elwood, a joiner by trade, had sexually assaulted the schoolgirl on numerous occasions in different locations, touching her breasts and also unbuttoning and pulling up her top.
The abuse began when she was aged 13, continued into her mid-teens and left her feeling both numb, freaked out and scared. “She talks about just being frozen in fear,” said prosecutor Tim Evans. “She just wanted it to stop. She felt she couldn’t tell anyone. The defendant was so well known in the local community and local church she thought that nobody would believe her if she complained.”
Elwood, of Fellview, Great Salkeld, near Penrith, was encouraged by his doctor to contact police, making admissions to officers in a voluntary interview which were then corroborated by the woman.
In an impact statement, the woman detailed anxiety, flashbacks and undergoing professional help as she spoke of the impact of Elwood’s criminal conduct. “She talks about trying to get on with her life but there is a massive hole in it,” said Mr Evans.
Elwood admitted four indecent assault charges which reflected illegal activity described by a judge as persistent.
At today’s sentencing hearing, Recorder Tony Hawks considered a detailed psychiatric report which concluded that Elwood laboured under a serious mental disorder. He had been diagnosed with chronic paranoid schizophrenia which, a doctor believed, might have impacted on his offending behaviour.
Elwood also suffered from poor physical health and led an isolated lifestyle. It was concluded that he didn’t pose an ongoing risk of further sexual offending.
As a result of Elwood’s admissions of guilt, Recorder Hawks suspended a two-year prison sentence for two years. He must complete a rehabilitation requirement, sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years and comply with the strict terms of a prevention order.
The judge told Elwood: “These sort of offences have a very serious effect on people as is obvious from the statement that has been read from the lady, as she now is, that you sexually abused.”
