Derek Byfield

A 71-year-old pensioner from South Shropshire, Derek Byfield, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for a series of historical and recent sex offences against two underage girls. The case, heard at Shrewsbury Crown Court, highlights the long-lasting impact of such crimes on vulnerable young victims.

Byfield, residing in Far Forest near Cleobury Mortimer, admitted to raping one girl when she was just 13 years old in the 1970s. Following the assault, he gave her sweets and issued a chilling threat, warning that if she became pregnant, he would beat her up and stage it to appear as an attack by someone else. This incident robbed the victim of her childhood, as noted by Judge Jim Tindal during sentencing last week.

• Byfield pleaded guilty to one count of rape against the first victim in the 1970s.
• He also admitted five counts of sexual activity with a second child, who was under 16, in more recent years.
• In one instance with the second victim, Byfield engaged in unprotected sex and subsequently took her to a pharmacy to obtain the morning-after pill.

Judge Tindal, acknowledging Byfield's chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and the potential risk to his life in prison, nonetheless emphasised the gravity of the offences: 'You took away the childhood of two vulnerable young girls. The responsibility for it is entirely yours.' In addition to the 10-year custodial sentence, Byfield was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and placed on the sex offenders' register for life.

Defence barrister Abigail Nixon portrayed Byfield as 'a supportive and devoted husband' and highlighted his serious health condition. The court proceedings were reported by the Ludlow Advertiser, drawing from details provided in the hearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court.