William Proctor

A 74-year-old man from Nuneaton has been convicted at Warwick Crown Court of serious sexual offences against a young girl that occurred more than three decades ago. William Proctor was found guilty following a trial last week of four counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault on a child under the age of 16. The abuse took place between 1991 and 1999, when the victim was aged between six and 13 years old.

The case came to light after the victim bravely came forward in 2023 to report the historical abuse. Investigating officer DC Russell from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) commended the victim's courage, stating: 'Coming forward to disclose offences of this nature takes a huge amount of bravery. I want to thank the victim in this case for their strength and commitment throughout the course of the investigation, since its launch in 2023.' The offences represented a profound betrayal of trust, subjecting a young child to a dreadful ordeal during what should have been a carefree period of childhood.

Proctor's conviction ensures he is now held accountable for his actions, preventing him from harming others. DC Russell emphasised the seriousness with which such reports are treated: 'The offences were a dreadful ordeal for a young child to have to go through when they should have been free to enjoy their childhood. By speaking out, even after so many years, they have made sure that Proctor is behind bars where he can’t hurt anyone else.' The trial at Warwick Crown Court highlighted the ongoing commitment to pursuing justice for non-recent sexual abuse cases.

Sentencing for William Proctor is scheduled for next month, following the guilty verdict delivered on 12th August 2025. This case underscores the importance of victims reporting such crimes, no matter how much time has passed, as authorities are dedicated to thorough investigations centred on the victim's needs.