December 4, 2012 2.19 pm This story is over 135 months old

Pensioner gets 14 years jail for raping child

Protracted trial: A 71-year-old Lincolnshire man has been found guilty of rape of a child under 13-years-old.

A 71-year-old Lincolnshire man has been found guilty of rape of a child under 13-years-old and taking and making indecent photos of a child.

After a two-week trial, Ambrose Francis Clifton was sentenced to 14 years jail at Lincoln Crown Court on Tuesday, December 4.

He was was found guilty of rape of a child under 13, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and taking and making indecent photos of a child.

Detective Constable David Moxham is from the Lincolnshire Police Operation Emerald team, which specialises in the investigation of sexual offences.

He said: “This has been one of the most distressing cases I have dealt with. The child’s family, quite understandably, have been devastated by the whole episode and are appalled that the trust they placed in Clifton has been betrayed.

“Ambrose Clifton has showed no remorse and continues to deny the offences in the face of the compelling evidence that convinced the jury of his guilt.

“His young victim and their family have been traumatised by the events outlined during the trial.

“I am pleased with the sentence and hope that it will help the family to return to some semblance of a normal family life whilst serving as a deterrent to other like minded paedophiles.”

The victim’s family, which remains unnamed for legal reasons, also commented on the sentencing.

They said: “We are satisfied with the sentence imposed on Clifton today.

“His conviction after a lengthy investigation and trial gives us as parents relief that our child was supported by the police and the criminal justice system as a whole.

“This has been every parent’s worst nightmare but we now hope to put it behind us and move forward as a family.”

Source: Lincolnshire Police