Former radio presenters jailed for string of sexual offences against boys - The Stratford Observer

Former radio presenters jailed for string of sexual offences against boys

Stratford Editorial 9th Jun, 2017   0

VICTIMS of sexual abuse are being urged not to suffer in silence after two former radio presenters were jailed for a string of offences against boys in Warwickshire in the 1990s.

Husband and wife Tony Wadsworth, 69, and Julie Wadsworth, 60, both of Old Mill Road, Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, were found guilty of 28 offences of outraging public decency and indecent assault after a three-week trial at Warwick Crown Court.

Between 1992 and 1999, the Wadsworths abused four boys, aged 11 to 15, at their home in Atherstone as well as on a nearby golf course and surrounding woodland.

The couple befriended their victims and, once they had their trust, proceeded to sexually abuse them.




The offences were reported to the police when one of the victims attended a child sexual exploitation course and realised what the defendants had done to him was a criminal act.

Tony was convicted of nine counts of indecent assault on a boy aged under 16 and five counts of outraging public decency. He was sentenced to five years in prison.


Julie was convicted of nine counts of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 16 years and five counts of outraging public decency. She was found not guilty of two counts of indecent assault on a boy aged under 16. She was sentenced to five years in prison.

Investigating officer, Det Sgt Rhys Bower said: “The verdict is the result of a thorough and detailed investigation. These two individuals gave no thought to the impact their actions were having on the young boys they abused; they were only concerned with their own gratification.

“The abuse the victims experienced in their youth has undoubtedly been very damaging. I commend them all for showing tremendous courage in disclosing what happened to them and asking for help and support. I hope that the verdict and sentence will finally allow them the opportunity to move forward with their lives and put the abuse they suffered behind them.

“The passage of time does not lessen the impact sexual offences have on their victims and Warwickshire Police will continue to work with our partner agencies to ensure those responsible are made to answer for their crimes.

“Anyone who comes forward to report an offence of sexual abuse, whenever the abuse took place, will be given specialist support and guidance throughout the investigation.”

David Rouse of the Crown Prosecution Service, said the couple lived double lives.

“In their public and professional lives they were a couple who came across as caring, warm and respectable. However, in their private lives, they preyed on young, impressionable victims for their own sexual gratification.

“I would like to thank the victims for their courage during this difficult and sensitive prosecution. They have helped to bring these two sexual predators to justice.”

Warwickshire Police encourages anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence, regardless of when the offence took place, to seek help and support. Anyone who comes forward will be treated with care and sensitivity by specially trained officers.

The Blue Sky Sexual Assault Referral Centre provides access to emergency medical treatment, emotional support and referrals to Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA) for anyone from Coventry and Warwickshire who has been raped or sexually assaulted. The centre can be contacted on 02476 865 505.

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