Rally official jailed for 'sickening' child abuse

Simon Slade, 65, was jailed for seven years following a trial at Lincoln Crown Court

A rally driving official who committed "sickening" non-recent sex offences against a teenage girl in Lincolnshire has been jailed.

Simon Slade, 65, was convicted of two serious sexual offences and one charge of indecent assault following a trial at Lincoln Crown Court.

Prosecutors said Slade was "an abusive predator" who deliberately sought out a young teenager to satisfy his "perverted desires".

Slade, now of Cherry Tree Drive, Yeovil, Somerset, was jailed for seven years.

The prosecution said the offending had taken place in the late 1990s, with Slade "grooming and manipulating" the teenage victim into sexual activity.

The case was brought after the victim came forward to disclose what had happened.

Evidence found at Slade's home, including a folder containing photographs and letters, showed his behaviour towards the victim had been abusive and not simply sexual, prosecutors said.

Alison O’Shea, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “The evidence in his possession was a sickening display of conquest and superiority.

"The survivor in this case was absolutely right to come forward and report what had happened and has told a clear, compelling story throughout.

"By contrast, Slade has changed his story and tried to imply that the survivor is somehow to blame.

"He has persistently failed to take responsibility for his abusive actions, but he has now faced the consequences of what he did over 20 years ago.”

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