A couple who carried out a prolonged series of sexual assaults, child cruelty and drug supply that lasted over a decade have been jailed today (Mon 8 May).
Nicholas and Joan Taylor, of Northampton, preyed on vulnerable children and systematically abused them, repeatedly committing serious sexual offences against nine child victims.
The Taylors used cocaine, threats of violence, force and humiliation to manipulate their victims into being subjected to sexual acts. Five of the children involved were raped on numerous occasions. This offending has had a significant impact on all those involved.
Today at Leicester Crown Court, Nicholas Taylor was sentenced to life imprisonment and Joan Taylor was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Janine Smith, from the CPS, said:
“To prosecute Nicholas and Joan Taylor the CPS was presented with evidence from multiple victims of a sustained period of abuse. They had committed so many offences that prosecutors were faced with the challenge of selecting charges and presenting the evidence in order to give a clear picture of the abuse to the jury and to enable the court could pass a sentence reflecting the offending.
“The Taylors were found guilty of over 90 separate offences and we argued that both present a real danger to society.
“The victims have given moving personal impact statements to the court to make clear the profound impact that the Taylors’ offences have had on their lives. They have shown great strength and courage to come forward to ensure that the Taylors have faced the consequences of their crimes.
“I would like to commend them for supporting the prosecution with their evidence. It cannot be easy but today they have seen their abusers imprisoned and I hope that this will be of comfort to them.”
Ends
Background
· In preparing the case for trial, prosecutors at the CPS East Midlands Complex Casework Unit and prosecuting Counsel decided to include a large number of counts on the indictment to accurately reflect the extent of the defendants’ offending. As part of the sentencing hearing, victims have given victim impact statements to the court, so that the court can understand how the offences have affected them.
· The Taylors were convicted after a six-week trial at Leicester Crown Court. Nicholas Taylor had previous convictions for serious sexual offences.
· Janine Smith is the Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS East Midlands.
