A man from Amesbury has been sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison for committing multiple sexual offences against a young child. Gabriel Philip Chirwa, 38, of Holders Road, Amesbury, appeared at Winchester Crown Court on 4 April 2025, where he received an 18-year custodial sentence, extended by four years on licence, for his crimes.
The offences, which included four counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, and one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, all against a victim under the age of 13, occurred over a two-year period. The abuse came to light in August 2022 when the victim bravely disclosed the incidents to her mother, prompting a report to Wiltshire Police.
Following the report, Wiltshire Police acted swiftly, arresting Chirwa and launching a thorough investigation. Despite denying the charges, Chirwa's case proceeded to trial at Winchester Crown Court in December 2024. A jury found him guilty on all counts after hearing evidence, including the victim's statement, which was played in court. The trial process added further trauma to the victim, who had already endured significant abuse.
- Offences: Four counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
- Victim: A child under 13.
- Duration of abuse: Approximately two years, reported in August 2022.
In addition to his prison term, Chirwa will be subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). This order prohibits him from any contact with the victim and from having unsupervised contact with any person under the age of 16, aiming to protect children from further harm.
The victim, with approval, released a personal statement expressing the profound impact of the abuse: 'He had made me completely disgusted with myself, I was so young. I ask myself why me? Now, I'm not doing as bad, but my life is still a massive mess three years later. You [Chirwa] never cared. I hope you will care when I am free to live the life that you can't.' This statement underscores the lasting emotional toll on the young survivor.
Detective Constable Fiona Rawlings of the Child Abuse Investigation Team commended the victim's courage: 'Firstly, I want to pay tribute to the victim for her courage and bravery that she has shown. It must have been extremely difficult for her to report the abuse in the first place, and she has shown incredible bravery throughout the process, which has taken more than two years. Chirwa is an incredibly dangerous offender who has shown absolutely no remorse despite the horrendous abuse he inflicted on a young girl.' Rawlings highlighted the victim's essential role in securing the conviction and noted the support from the victim's mother.
The case was investigated by Wiltshire Police, who emphasised Chirwa's lack of remorse and the necessity of the trial due to his denials. This sentencing is reported to bring some closure to the victim, allowing her to begin moving forward after years of ordeal. Source: Salisbury Radio, 4 April 2025.