Raymond John Hollis

A 79-year-old man from Westbury, Wiltshire, has been jailed for 16 years following his guilty plea to a series of historic child sex offences dating back to the 1970s. Raymond John Hollis, described as a 'dangerous and predatory' offender, targeted a young victim in Camberley, Surrey, over a six-year period.

The offences occurred between 1973 and 1979, during which Hollis abused one victim who was aged between 5 and 11 at the time. The victim, now an adult, demonstrated remarkable courage by coming forward to report the abuse to police in March 2019, nearly five decades after the crimes took place. This prompted a swift response from authorities, leading to Hollis's arrest in April 2019.

Following a major investigation, Hollis was charged in December 2019 with six counts of indecent assault on a child under 13 and six counts of gross indecency with a child under 13. He pleaded guilty to all 12 counts. On 12 January 2021, at a court hearing, he was sentenced to 16 years' imprisonment. The case was handled by the Sexual Offences Investigation Team.

Detective Constable Mike Powell, the investigating officer, emphasised the significance of the conviction, stating: “This conviction sends a clear message to anyone who believes they have been a victim of sexual abuse that we will do all our best to investigate each case fully and seek to prosecute those responsible. Likewise, I hope that this sentence sends a clear message to the perpetrators of these offences that no matter how much time has passed, serious sexual assaults will not be tolerated.”

The case underscores the commitment of Wiltshire Police and partner forces to pursuing historic sexual offences, ensuring that justice can be sought regardless of the passage of time. Hollis, residing in Briar Close, Westbury, was finally held accountable for his predatory actions against a vulnerable child.