September 2011

Watford paedophile Donald Mead jailed for minimum of 15 years

A paedophile from Watford who abused two young schoolgirls – repeatedly raping one of them over several years – was jailed for a minimum of 15 years on Friday for the “horrendous” attacks.

Croydon Crown Court was told that Donald Mead, 66, plied the girls with alcohol and groomed them for sex.

One girl was sexually abused by Mead up until his arrest and the other girl was assaulted for two months when she was 13.

Mead, of Orbital Crescent, Watford, was convicted after pleading not guilty at Croydon Crown Court on 13 counts, which included anal rape, attempted anal rape, indecent assault, gross indecency and taking indecent images after forcing his victims’ to give evidence.

He received an indeterminate sentence for public protection – and the judge ordered that he should serve a minimum of 15-year years with an extended five-year licence period. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

The jury was told that the girls were left “depressed and suicidal” and the rape victim had slashed her wrists.

She told police after Mead was convicted: “I feel that I can breathe again, that a weight has been taken off my shoulders and I do not feel scared anymore.”

The abuse started when the defendant’s friendship with the girl began seemingly innocently but ultimately escalated to Mead performing oral sex on her and later raping her.

Mead had also taken indecent photographs of her and collected pictures of girls in school uniforms.

Jailing Mead Judge Shani Barnes told him : “These 13 charges represent your systematic, cynical sexual abuse.”

“The effect on these two women has been devastating and the victim who was abused for two months has contemplated suicide this year.”

The judge continued : “The rape victim’s statement to police was the most harrowing video evidence I have ever had to witness.

“The self-loathing you were responsible for was unbearable and the damage you have caused will last a long time.

“What you have done to these girls is horrendous.”

The judge added : “Your next victim was a good natured compliant girl, the perfect girl for you to groom, dominate and abuse.”