Ex-soldier jailed for child rape

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/dorset/6272699.stm

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An ex-soldier has been jailed for five years for raping and sexually abusing three girls in the 1970s and 80s.

Maurice Pearson, 56, who served with the Royal Engineers, was caught after police received an anonymous typed letter from one of his victims.

At Bournemouth Crown Court, Pearson, of Christchurch, Dorset, admitted rape and indecency with a girl under 13 and two indecent assaults on a girl under 16.

Pearson had served in Dorset, Kent, Nottingham and Germany from 1968-1991.

A police investigation showed he had been a prolific sex offender.

I have hidden this abuse for 25 years and it has deeply affected my life Statement, Victim two

He became a civil engineer and worked across the south of England.

After the court case, two of his victims, released statements.

Victim one, a 41-year-old from Berkshire, said: "I am so glad that Pearson has been found guilty for raping me.

"I have waited almost 30 years for this result and I can now move on."

Other victims

Victim two, a 37-year-old from Dorset, urged Pearson's other possible victims to come forward.

"I have hidden this abuse for 25 years and it has deeply affected my life, please don't let it affect yours any more," she said.

Det Con Bryan Colley, of the Dorset Police child protection investigation unit, said the girl who wrote the letter in 2005 has not been traced.

He added: "It is not too late for anyone else to come forward if they have also been a victim of Pearson."