'Dangerous' sex offender jailed for 18 years

Chirwa will receive almost 20 years imprisonment for his offences

A man has been jailed for almost 20 years for multiple sexual offences against a child.

Gabriel Philip Chirwa, 38, of Holders Road, Amesbury, was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment, plus four years on extended licence, for four counts of rape and multiple other sexual offences.

The incidents were reported in August 2022, when the victim told her mother about the abuse, which took place over a two-year period.

Speaking after the sentencing, Det Con Fiona Rawlings of Wiltshire Police's Child Abuse Investigation Team said: "Chirwa is an incredibly dangerous offender who has shown absolutely no remorse despite the horrendous abuse he inflicted on a young girl.

She praised the victim for her bravery, adding that she appreciated "the toll" that the abuse, investigation and court process had on her.

"Hopefully today's sentencing can bring an element of closure and she can look to move forward," she said.

In her personal statement, the victim said: "He had made me completely disgusted with myself, I was so young. I ask myself, 'why me?'.

"You [Chirwa] never cared. I hope you will care when I am free to live the life that you can't."

After the incidents were reported, Chirwa was arrested, and following an investigation, was charged with the following offences:

• Four counts of rape

• Two counts of sexual assault by penetration

• One count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity

He denied the offences, requiring a trial by jury at Winchester Crown Court in December last year.

Chirwa will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order indefinitely, which will forbid him from any contact with the victim and from having any unsupervised contact with any person under the age of 16.