Willy John Gillham

Willy John Gillham, aged 73 and residing in Camberley, Surrey, was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment at Winchester Crown Court on 26 January 2026 for committing serious sexual offences against a boy in his care during the 1980s.

The offences took place at the former Palmerston House children's home on Botley Road in Romsey, Hampshire, where Gillham was employed. The court heard that Gillham abused his position of authority to perpetrate buggery and indecent assault on a boy under the age of 16. These crimes came to light following a report made in 2023 by the victim, who had been a child under Gillham's care at the time.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary launched an investigation into the new allegations. At the time of the interview, Gillham was already serving a prison sentence from a previous conviction. In 2017, he had been found guilty of raping another boy at the same children's home in the 1980s and was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment, of which he served seven-and-a-half years before his release.

Weeks after his release from the earlier sentence, Gillham was served with a postal requisition to attend court for the newly reported offences. Following a trial at Winchester Crown Court, he was found guilty on 12 January 2026 of the charges of buggery and indecent assault.

Detective Constable Craig Rainsley of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary commented on the case, stating: “Gillham’s victim was in a setting where he should have been safe and cared for, but Gillham abused his authority and betrayed him in the worst way possible.” Rainsley also praised the victim's courage, noting: “The victim in this case has shown great courage in speaking with police, and I would like to commend their bravery throughout this investigation and subsequent trial.”

The investigation was conducted by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, highlighting their commitment to pursuing historical sexual abuse cases. The Palmerston House children's home had closed prior to the police investigation.