March 1981

Childrens home man had history of sex offences against children

A man with a string of convictions for indecently assaulting children became a voluntary helper at a childrens home

He had been recommended by a clergyman. But within a few weeks he was abusing children again

Finally he ran off with a 15-year old girl. The truth about him came out when police arrested him and searched his flat and found pictures of him and two boys from the children’s home where he worked

At St Albans court, 26 year old Geoffrey Willcocks, of Kimbolton avenue, Bedford admitted two charges of indecent assault, one of gross indecency, abduction of a child under 16 years old and two offences of unlawful sexual intercourse with a child

Further charges alleging gross indecency and indecent assault were ordered to lie on file

The court heard that in 1972, Willcocks assaulted an eight-year old girl while doing similar voluntary work in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands 

In 1974 he assaulted a 13-year old boy while working as an attendant at a swimming baths in Birmingham

In 1977 he was jailed for two years for sexually assaulting two eight-year old girls

Soon after his release from prison Willcocks moved to Bedford and a clergyman put him in touch with a county council home for 20 boys and girls

Willcocks, a painter and decorator became a regular visitor at the home in Cave street Bedford, and would take the children fishing or would play tennis with them.

Prosecuting said his first victim was a 12-year old girl whom he took for a bicycle ride

Next, two 13-year old boys became regular visitors to his flat. Willcocks plied them with Newcastle brown ale and showed them pictures of naked females

Willcocks then ran off with a 15-year old girl. She had been staying at the childrens home and he followed her to her own home in Oundle, Northamptonshire

Her parents objected. But Willcocks and the girl met in secret and camped out for several days in the Birmingham area. They had sexual intercourse four or five times

The two returned to Bedford, where they put a £10 deposit on two wedding rings.

The police, who were looking for them found them at the flat after they tried to hide in a wardrobe. When questioned, Willcocks admitted everything