Pensioner jailed for 15 years for sex assaults on disabled woman

A pensioner who abused a dying couple's daughter has been jailed for 15 years.

Barry Oldfield, 72, offered to help look after the disabled woman while her parents were being treated but abused their trust by forcing her to take part in sex acts.

He posed as a Good Samaritan who was helping the family of the woman in their hour of need but in reality he was satisfying his own sexual demands.

His adult victim had the mental capacity of a four-year-old, Exeter Crown Court heard, and he terrified her into silence by threatening to lock her up or gag her. He bribed her with presents and sweets but then assaulted her after being left alone with her in her bedroom.

£3 Off Instant Passport / ID Photos - Fully Guaranteed Service

J & A Cameras Ltd

View details

Print voucher

Don't trust the photo booths? Get set for your Summer Holidays with J&A Cameras. We are offering £3 Off our Passport Office Approved Instore Passport Photo Service so come in and get it done properly!

Terms: Instant passport photos guaranteed to be correct with the passport office, or we will re-take them for free. No refunds will be given as an alternative. Valid until June 30th 2013.

Contact: 01271 447066

Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013

Oldfield, of Dart Park, South Molton, denied four counts of sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder who was unable to refuse because of her condition.

He was found guilty by a jury and jailed for 15 years by Recorder Andrew Oldland.

He told Oldfield: "The victim had the intellectual abilities and understanding of a young child and her condition is immediately and abundantly clear to anyone who meets her.

"On any analysis she is one of the most vulnerable in society.

"You took advantage of her parents' ill health in the most cynical way and while they were sleeping or resting you sexually abused their profoundly disabled daughter."

During the trial the victim gave evidence via a recorded video interview in which she sat with a favourite doll.

Oldfield, who worked as an unofficial recycler, picking up waste from properties around North Devon and sorting through it for anything of value, said he had little contact with the victim. He said he had only gone into her room on a handful of occasions and then for only a short time.