Couple jailed for historic sexual abuse

A married couple have been jailed for a string historic sexual offences dating back to the 1980s.

David Williams sentenced to life in prison, and wife Pauline Williams jailed for 12 years plus four years extended license today (Wednesday 25th November), following trial at Exeter Crown Court in October.

David and Pauline Williams have been convicted on a number of charges following a catalogue of abuse that started in Gloucester in the 1980s and continued when they moved to Devon in the 1990s.

The couple were found guilty of a 48 individual and joint charges stemming over 15 years. David Williams was jailed for life after being found guilty of a number of offences including 11 counts of indecent assault, 10 counts of rape, two counts of gross indecency with a child, three counts of indecency with a child, two of cruelty and two cases of aiding and abetting an indecent assault.

His wife Pauline Williams has been sentenced to 12 years in prison plus four years extended license after she was found guilty on two counts of aiding and abetting rape, two counts of aiding and abetting an indecent assault, and three counts of indecent assault.

Detective Constable Debbie Dow from the Child Abuse Investigation Unit led on the case, named Operation Abbey: “David and Pauline Williams carried out a string of sickening and callous sexual attacks on children and teenagers without remorse over a 15 year period.

“Their campaign of abuse started in Gloucester and continued when they moved to Devon and lived in Exeter and Tiverton. The abuse was both physical and sexual and undertaken by both David and Pauline Williams; one victim was as young as 7 years old when this started.”

The investigation began in July 2013 when a woman disclosed to a mental health professional multiple rapes and sexual abuse by David Williams when she was only 15.

DC Dow said: “This woman was brave enough to agree to speak to me and make a complaint against David Williams in relation to the abuse she suffered at his hands when a girl. The investigation then soon progressed when number of other people came forward to uncover the abuse that they had all been subjected to at the hands of David and Pauline Williams.”

Both denied all allegations against them all the way through the investigation and the trial despite the overwhelming evidence against them. DC Dow continued: “The strength of these victims in finding the courage not only to come forward to the police, but being able to give evidence at the trial, was incredible.

“These victims, both men and woman, had their childhoods stolen by David and Pauline Williams and all have suffered difficulties throughout their adulthood following this abuse as they struggled to live normal lives. I hope that today’s sentence will help the victims find closure and will go some way in them being able to put this nightmare behind them.”

DC Dow added: “This case proves that times have changed and that victims suffering from this type of abuse will be supported by the police. We will take these allegations seriously and offenders will be pursued, apprehended, and brought to court to face justice – time is no barrier.”