Here is a round-up of the latest news from police incidents across Gloucestershire as of Wednesday, February12.
An 80-year-old man from Gloucester has been jailed after admitting sexually abusing his granddaughters.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court on Monday 27 January.
He had been charged with four counts of assaulting a girl under the age of 13 by touching, one count of inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity (no penetration), and two counts of sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 17 (family member – no penetration).
The court heard that the abuse on the oldest of the two girls had begun when she was seven and continued until she was 11. The younger granddaughter was sexually assaulted on two occasions when she was 13.
Her older sister disclosed the abuse she had been subjected to after learning that her sister had come forward to report it.
The man was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison and handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. His name was also added to the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Detective Constable Mel Earnshaw, from the Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “Both these girls showed incredible bravery in coming forward and seeing through this investigation.
“A significant amount of abuse happens behind closed doors and involves family members or close family friends.
“We will always believe anyone who comes to us to report sexual abuse and will work with them to provide the appropriate support and achieve the outcome that they desire.”
If you have experienced rape, sexual assault or abuse, and wish to report the crime, contact police by calling 101 or 999 in the case of an emergency. You can also report sexual offences online here: https://www.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/
Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre support women dealing with the effects of rape and sexual abuse. For more information visit their website www.glosrasac.org/
Officers are appealing for witnesses after a man sustained a facial injury following an assault in Cheltenham.
Police were called by the Ambulance Service with a report that a group of men had assaulted another man while on Grove Street in the town centre at around 1.45pm on Wednesday 29 January.
It was reported that one member of the group had punched the victim in the face causing injuries which required treatment at Cheltenham General Hospital.
The group of men left the scene following the assault.
Investigating officers have conducted CCTV and house to house enquiries in the area and are now keen to hear from anyone who witnessed what happened or has dashcam/mobile phone footage which they feel is relevant.
Information can be provided to police online by completing the following form and quoting incident 257 of 29 January: www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/
Officers are appealing for witnesses after a child cyclist was injured in a collision in Cheltenham last week.
Police were contacted with a report that a cyclist and black 4×4 pick up vehicle had been involved in a collision on Ennerdale Road in Up Hatherley at around 3.15pm on Tuesday 4 February.
It was reported that the collision took place as the 11-year-old boy was cycling home from school.
The driver of the 4×4 pick up failed to stop to check on the welfare of the boy or to provide details, and continued on their journey.
Members of the public stopped to help the boy before he was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital for treatment to a broken leg.
Officers are now asking the driver of the car to make contact and give an account of what happened.
As well as this, they are asking anyone who witnessed the collision and who hasn’t yet spoken to officers or who has dashcam footage to come forward.
Information can be provided to police online by completing the following form and quoting incident 482 of 5 February: www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/
