Swindon child rapist jailed for 24 years

Matthew Vandross, 30, of Homington Avenue, appeared at Salisbury Crown Court for sentencing after being found guilty in September of the following offences:

Sexual assault by touching
Digital penetration x 21
Rape of a child under 13 x 4 

In the hearing yesterday, he was given a 24-year sentence with a minimum of 20 to be served.

The offences took place between October 2020 and May 2021.

The victim was under the age of 10 when she reported the incidents to 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: “These are unspeakable crimes and I’m pleased that the courts have recognised this by handing Vandross a lengthy jail sentence.

“Vandross is a predatory individual and he took advantage of a vulnerable child and abused her in a truly horrific way.

“He then made awful, violent threats towards her if she dared report his offending to the police, and consistently denied the offences, forcing the children to go through the trauma of a trial.

“From 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.

“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.”