Man jailed for sex offences from two decades ago

Police said "no sentence will ever resolve the trauma inflicted on these victims"

A man has been jailed for 20 years for sexual offences against a woman and a girl two decades ago.

Quintino Gomes, 65, of Cluny in France, was found guilty of eight offences including six counts of rape, following a 10-day trial at Norwich Crown Court.

Gomes abused two victims in Dereham, Norfolk between 2000 and 2001.

One victim told the court she had been "robbed of a childhood".

"I have had a lifelong feeling of shame and embarrassment," said the same victim in a personal statement read out in court.

"I want my leave these feelings of shame behind me. I did nothing wrong and I did not deserve what happened to me."

Gomes had denied all eight charges, but was convicted unanimously by the jury on Friday of the following offences:

• four counts of rape of a woman

• two counts of rape of a girl under the age of 16

• indecent assault of a girl under the age of 16

• inciting a girl under the age of 16 to commit an act of gross indecency

He was placed on the Sexual Offenders Register for life.

'Commend their bravery'

A second victim told the court: "Since I was a child, I was made to believe that I wasn't worthy of love, I have questioned myself on everything including what I did to deserve such treatment.

"The aftermath has had an enormous impact throughout my life."

Det Con Natalie Riseborough from Norfolk Police said: "No sentence will ever resolve the trauma inflicted on these victims by Gomes but I do hope this sentence provides them with some level of closure.

"I would like to commend them for their bravery in coming forward and encourage anyone else in a similar position to do so.

"It does not matter how long ago the abuse occurred, we will always investigate."