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Pensioner, 81, locked up after brave victims report horrific historic sex abuse

Thomas Verdon was jailed at Canterbury Crown Court. Picture: Google Maps
Thomas Verdon was jailed at Canterbury Crown Court. Picture: Google Maps

A PERVERTED pensioner has been put behind bars after the extent of his predatory actions were revealed.

Thomas Verdon, of Latchford, was convicted of multiple charges of historic sexual abuse towards underage girls decades ago.

His victims bravely came forward and reported the horrific abuse they suffered at the hands of the now 81-year-old.

He was locked up at Canterbury Crown Court on Friday, January 27, after being told that only an immediate custodial sentence of some length was appropriate punishment.

The court heard how the offences occurred down south, on the south coast in the town of Hythe, near Folkstone in Kent.

In 2019, Kent Police received a report of sexual offences committed by Verdon in the 1970s and 1980s.

Following an investigation by East Kent Vulnerability Investigation Team, the defendant was charged with multiple counts of indecent assault and gross indecency with a child.

He was subsequently convicted on seven counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14 and four counts of gross indecency with a girl under 14.

The court heard that some of his victims were under the age of 10 when they were sexually abused.

Verdon, of Longdin Street in Latchford, was sentenced by judge Catherine Brown to 10 years imprisonment, as well as an additional three years on extended licence following his release.

The sentence was welcomed by DC Jemma Bell, the investigating officer from Kent Police.

She said: “This case shows that police will investigate offences despite the passage of time, and the sentence handed down reflects the seriousness of the crimes committed.

“I hope the prison term now imposed on this man gives the victims some sense of closure.

“I also urge any other victims of abuse or violence to report it to police as soon as possible so that we can investigate and bring perpetrators to justice.”

Due to Verdon being interviewed non-custodially and charged via postal requisition, Kent Police did not have a custody photo to release to the Warrington Guardian on request.