A Swindon man has been found guilty of the ‘most horrific’ sexual abuse of young girl.
A jury sitting at Salisbury Crown Court convicted Matthew Vandross of 25 offences relating to the rape and digital penetration of a young girl.
The defendant, of Homington Avenue, carried out the attacks between October 2020 and May 2021.
Wiltshire Police say the victim reported the incidents to police at the age of ten – with support of a friend who had witnessed what she had been through.
“Since the beginning of this investigation, we have worked closely with partner agencies to ensure the victims in this case received the appropriate support and safeguarding they required”, Mel Neal, a detective with the force’s Child Abuse Investigation Team, said.
Adding: “This predatory offender took advantage of a vulnerable child and abused her in the worst and most horrific way. Not only that, but he made horrific threats towards her if she dared report his offending to police.
“I would like to personally pay tribute to the two children involved in this case – it is thanks to their bravery that we secured a successful prosecution.
“Both girls have shown extreme bravery and courage beyond their years, despite enduring such a traumatic ordeal.
“Working within the Child Abuse Investigation Team, we come to work every day to protect people like these two girls and secure some form of justice for them.
“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of sex abuse to report it to police – no matter how much time has passed since the offences took place.
“We are committed to targeting dangerous offenders like Vandross and will do everything we can to ensure they are put before the courts.”
Vandross will be sentenced on 15 November.
