A man from the Forest of Dean has been imprisoned for 20 years following his conviction for the rape and sexual assault of two young girls. Matthew Alexander, aged 48 and residing in Lydney, was found guilty by a unanimous jury at Gloucester Crown Court in July 2025 after a trial that exposed the devastating impact of his actions on his victims.
The investigation into Alexander's crimes commenced in July 2023 when the two victims, now adults, bravely came forward to Gloucestershire Police to report the repeated sexual abuse they endured as children. At the time of the offences, both girls were under 13 years old. Despite Alexander denying all charges, the evidence presented during the trial led to his conviction on 16 counts of rape and sexual assault.
During the sentencing hearing, the court heard poignant victim impact statements that detailed the profound and lasting effects of Alexander's abuse. One victim expressed: 'Alexander’s abusive behaviour has had a massive impact on me growing up. I felt that I had to grow up faster and I couldn’t be the child that I wanted to be. It’s had a major impact on my ability to form relationships, trust people and open up. Specifically, I really struggle to trust men. I will never be able to forgive him for what he has done to me.' She further described her ongoing struggles with body image, constant vigilance, and flashbacks, noting her relief at the guilty verdict: 'I was overwhelmed when I received the verdict that he had been found guilty of all 16 offences, however, I felt proud that my voice got heard and I was believed.'
The second victim shared similar trauma: 'I struggled to make friends, this was because I did not know how to approach people and feel confident. As I grew older, I always felt so nervous about new relationships and I felt ashamed of my body. I now find it hard to trust anyone to look after my child, especially men. What happened to me has made me so overprotective.' These statements underscored the courage of the victims in reporting the crimes years after they occurred.
Sentencing judge, Recorder Crooknorth, addressed Alexander directly, stating: 'The victims have both shown immense courage in the face of something you put them through. You have tried to escape the truth and now it has caught up with you. You continued to deny the offences and there is no remorse.' In addition to the 20-year custodial sentence, Alexander received an extended licence period of two years due to aggravating factors. He was also issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order lasting 30 years and a 30-year restraining order prohibiting contact with the victims. His name will be placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life, and he must serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
Detective Constable Smith from Gloucestershire Constabulary's Criminal Investigation Department commended the victims' bravery, highlighting the force's commitment to protecting children from sexual abuse. The case, reported by Gloucestershire Live on 3 October 2025, serves as a stark reminder of the long-term consequences of such offences and the importance of justice being served.