Douglas Hammersley is thought to be the oldest paedophile to be sentenced in Britain. He avoided a jail term today for offences stretching back 40 years
Britain’s oldest paedophile to be sentenced has avoided a jail term for sex attacks on a schoolgirl 40 years ago.
Douglas Hammersley, who will turn 102 this month, molested his young victim during the 1970s.
The woman, now in her 40s, finally went to the police after his family threw him a party for his 100th birthday last year, which was reported in a local newspaper.
She was praised for her bravery and courage during the sentencing hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court on Monday.
Hammersley, who was excused from attending, was given a two-year suspended prison sentence, placed on the sex offender register and ordered to pay £25,000 compensation.
Judge Francis Sheridan said: ‘To award compensation is wholly unusual in a case like this but the young victim has carried this cross of abuse for year upon year upon year.
‘She very properly complained to anyone that would listen. She has waited a very long time for justice but I hope justice is what she has got.
‘She was telling the truth the whole way through, from the first complaint to the last. For that I applaud her for her steadfastness in getting justice.’
The victim, who cannot be identified, sat in court during the sentencing hearing.
Hammersley’s victim came forward after seeing a local paper article about his 100th birthday
Judge Sheridan told her: ‘You are a brave woman and I applaud your determination to get justice.
‘I hope now you can leave feeling that ultimately you have been vindicated for persevering and hope you have seen justice done.’
The former second world war telephone engineer was photographed at his favourite New Malden pub in 2015 enjoying a pint when he turned 100.
Young’s Brewery presented Mr Hammersley with a book because he had been drinking at Woodies Freehouse for 68 years.
Hammersley, of New Malden in Surrey, said he had no memory of the time around the attacks.
He previously pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault against a girl under the age of 14, in 1977 and 1979.
Last year, retired haulier Ralph Clarke was jailed for 13 years for a string of sex offences against young children in the 1970s and 80s. He was also 101 when he was sentenced but younger than Hammersley.