Gifford Hugh Jones

Gifford Hugh Jones, aged 79 and formerly residing on Mole Road in Sindlesham, has been sentenced to eight years and six months in prison for committing historic sexual offences against vulnerable boys under his care at Dromenagh School in Iver. The offences, which took place during the 1970s and 1980s, involved four young victims aged between six and nine years old at the time.

Dromenagh School, located on Seven Hills Road near Iver, was a boarding school that closed in 1996. As a houseparent there, Jones exploited his position of trust to assault the boys. On 15 September, he pleaded guilty at Aylesbury Crown Court to nine counts of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14 years and five counts of gross indecency with a boy under the age of 14 years. His sentencing followed on 22 December at the same court, where Judge [Name not specified in article] imposed the custodial term, reflecting the gravity of the abuse inflicted on the vulnerable children.

• The victims were described as 'young vulnerable boys' who showed immense courage in coming forward after decades.
• Detective Constable Jo Dolder from the Child Abuse Investigation Unit at Aylesbury Police Station commented: 'While this sentence will never change what happened to the victims, I hope it gives them a resolution after all of these years and a sense that Jones has now faced the consequences of his actions.'
• She further added: 'It has taken the victims... a great deal of courage to come forward. I hope this sentence today sends out a message to all victims of sexual offences that Thames Valley Police takes all reports of this nature seriously and we will do everything we can to ensure offenders face justice.'

The case was investigated by Thames Valley Police's Child Abuse Investigation Unit, highlighting their commitment to pursuing historic sexual abuse allegations. This conviction underscores the long-term pursuit of justice for child sex offences, even after many years have passed since the incidents occurred.