May 20, 2015 10.44 am This story is over 106 months old

Lincolnshire paedophile sentenced for historic assaults

Seven years: Derek Sharpe,75, has been sentenced for a series of historic sexual assaults in Lincolnshire.

Derek Sharpe. Photo: Lincolnshire Police

A 75-year-old Lincolnshire man has been sentenced to seven years in prison following an investigation into historic sexual assaults of young girls.

Derek Sharpe, from the Sleaford area, appeared before Judge Sean Morris via video link at Grimsby Crown Court on Monday, May 18.

He was sentenced for a series of historic sexual assaults against two young girls in the 70s and 80s, after pleading not guilty.

The investigating officer was Lincolnshire Police’s Detective Constable Michelle Adamson. She said: “The two victims in this case have suffered over a prolonged period. Initially they had to cope with the assaults and then they had to wait many years before the matter was brought to the attention of the police and the offender was brought to justice.

“The investigation has been ongoing since 2012. Sharpe was convicted after pleading not guilty and subjecting his victims to the ordeal of reliving their experiences in the witness box.

“He can now reflect on his behaviour in prison. The victims have been very brave and have fully supported the police throughout the investigation, hopefully they can now move on with their lives.

“This case once again highlights the fact that Lincolnshire Police and other forces will pursue offenders years, sometimes decades, after they have committed their offences and will prosecute them successfully.

“Paedophiles who commit such offences should be aware of that and every knock on their door could be us coming to arrest them.”