Cornwall Man, 80, Jailed for 18 Years After Four Decades of Child Sexual Abuse

An 80-year-old man from North Cornwall has been jailed for 18 years, with a further year on extended licence, for the sexual abuse of six child victims spanning four decades.

Sentenced at Truro Crown Court

Robert Squires, from Bosinney near Tintagel, was sentenced at Truro Crown Court on Tuesday 28th October after pleading guilty to a total of 23 child sexual offences – both recent and non-recent – including two rapes of a child, attempted rape, and multiple indecent assaults.

He must serve two thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

Abuse Over Forty Years

The court heard how Robert targeted his victims from a young age, committing abuse in a range of locations both in and outside Cornwall. He later attended Bodmin Police Station as a voluntary attender and admitted to much of the abuse, saying that he got a sexual thrill from the offending.

Detective Sergeant Nick Williams from the Devon & Cornwall Police Public Protection Unit said:

“Robert Squires is an extremely dangerous sexual offender who has now been brought to justice for his crimes.

“Squires carried out a catalogue of abuse against his victims over the course of around 40 years, all while carrying on with his life as if nothing had happened.

“The abuse had a huge impact on the lives of his victims and I’d like to praise their strength for coming forward and reporting to us what happened to them.

“Squires may have spared them having to give evidence at a trial with his guilty pleas, but they will continue to have to live with what he did to them. We hope they are now able to move on with their lives as a result of the sentence.

“Anybody who has been the victim of sexual abuse – regardless of when it took place – should get in contact with us. You will be believed and our officers will thoroughly investigate all such reports made to us.”

Support for Victims

Police have urged anyone affected by sexual abuse to seek support.

Support services and information on rights and navigating the criminal justice system can be found at Victim Care. Victim Support can be contacted on 0808 1689 111 or through Devon and Cornwall Police’s Victim Care Unit on 01392 475900.

Further advice and help are also available from:

• National Rape Crisis Helpline – 0808 802 9999

• Devon and Cornwall Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) – 0300 303 4626

For more information, visit the Devon & Cornwall Police Rape and Sexual Assault page