An Eggbuckland Paedophile retiree, Gerald Barclay, has been sentenced to five years in prison for sexually assaulting a young schoolgirl and causing her significant distress.
Gerald Barclay, a 74-year-old former manufacturing worker, sexually molested a youngster for four years throughout the 1970s.
He instructed his victim to conceal his reprehensible conduct as a private matter in the 1970s, and she remained silent for four decades.
However, the courageous woman, afflicted by melancholy and panic attacks, approached the police two years prior.
She said in a statement read to Plymouth Crown Court: “I can honestly say it has been such a huge relief to be able to tell my secret and long last.”
A judge told Gerald Barclay he was able to raise a family and work for many years at Gleason Works in Estover.
Judge Robert Linford said: “You were able pretty much to get on with your life while (victim’s name) has pretty much struggled with almost every aspect of hers.
“In her victim personal statement, she sets out in clear terms how your offending changed her life and left her feeling depressed, anxious and damaged.
“Having to relive her experiences during the trial has only compounded those effects.”
Gerald Barclay, now a grandfather, has refused to accept his guilt despite the verdicts of the jury last month.
Gerald Barclay was found guilty by unanimous verdicts of three offences of indecent assault and two of gross indecency with a child between 1972 and 1976.
One of the counts represents several incidents of abuse.
Gerald Barclay, of Carradale Road, Eggbuckland, was cleared of four later charges of indecent assault after just over five hours of deliberations.
Prosecuting barrister Jason Beal read at length from the victim’s statement which revealed the extent of her guilt and confusion.
He said: “She said that after she was married it took years for her to fall pregnant. She thought it was because of his actions, she thought there was something wrong with her.
“She said that she had been a normal, happy child.”
Mr Beal added she had received counselling “many times” and was suffering from depression, anxiety and panic attacks.
William Parkhill, for Gerald Barclay, said the pensioner had heart and lung problems which would make any custodial sentence particularly difficult.
He asked the judge to take into account the 45 years of positive good behaviour since the offences, including raising two sons – one with a disability.
Mr Parkhill said that Gerald Barclay had also been hard-working.
The defendant will have to sign the Sex Offender Register for life.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.