Swindon man found guilty of multiple counts of child rape

A Swindon man has been convicted of multiple counts of rape of a child.

The victim was less than 10 years old.

Matthew Vandross, 30, of Homington Avenue, appeared at Salisbury Crown Court this week and following a five day trial, he was found guilty of the following offences:

- Four counts of rape of a child under 13

- Sexual assault by touching

- 21 counts of Digital penetration 

The offences took place between October 2020 and May 2021.

The victim was under the age of 10 when she reported the incidents to the police with support from a friend who had witnessed what she had been through.

Det Con Mel Neal, from the Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “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.

“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.