Matthew Miller

Matthew Miller, 50, a self-employed electrical engineer from Cromhamstone, Aylesbury, was sentenced at Amersham Law Courts after being found guilty of one count of rape of a child following a trial. The offence occurred at a property in Chesham between 2017 and 2019.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Catherine Tulk described Miller's actions as 'pretty much the worst possible way' to take advantage of a vulnerable child. The judge noted that the offence was opportunistic and that Miller had attempted to cover up his crime by telling the child 'not to say anything to anybody'.

Prosecutor Jack Talbot read a victim statement in which the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she has been left with 'really bad' trust issues and felt 'small'. She added that the 'traumatic nature of the incident had changed who [she is] and how [she] sees things'. A medical report submitted to the court showed the victim suffered psychological harm.

Miller was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict. Mitigating, Karl Volz highlighted multiple character witness statements but accepted the jury's decision, though not agreeing with it. The court heard no evidence of grooming or coercion.

Miller was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment, with nine years to be served in custody, and will be eligible to apply for release after six years. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.