Cambridgeshire paedophile, 91, likely to ‘spend rest of his life in prison’

A 91-year-old Cambridgeshire paedophile, jailed for 10 years, ‘is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison”.

Eric Grant, of Hall Barn Road, Isleham, appeared at Basildon Crown Court where he was jailed for his offences which took place between 2004 and 2005.

Investigating officer Det Sgt Ed Massey of Essex Police said: “I want to commend the bravery of the victim in this case, who I know feels like a massive weight has now been lifted from her.

“I feel the sentence – and the fact that Grant is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison – reflects the devastating effects of his sexual abuse of a child.

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“And the fact that he made the victim go through the difficult process of a crown court trial.”

The victim was just 11 years-old at the time she was abused. The abuse took place in Cambridgeshire and in Essex.

The victim reported the abuse to police in March 2021.

Prior to speaking to police, she called Grant to confront him about what he did.

She recorded this call, where Grant implied that the acts were consensual.

“The victim then bravely used this as evidence when reporting to us,” said an Essex police spokesperson.

Eric Grant, of Hall Barn Road, Isleham, appeared at Basildon Crown Court where he was jailed for his offences which took place between 2004 and 2005.

The investigation was picked up by Essex Police’s Quest Team, who dedicate themselves to investigating all non-recent child sexual abuse.

Grant was interviewed in July 2021 and refused to tell officers anything.

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Despite this, he was charged a few months later.

Following a trial at Basildon Crown Court, which began on 12 December 2022, Grant was found guilty and placed on the Sex Offenders Register whilst being remanded into custody ahead of his sentencing.

He appeared at Basildon Crown Court again earlier this year where he was sentenced to ten years in prison.

He was also given a restraining order, preventing him from making any contact with the victim.

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At the sentencing, the victim bravely spoke out in court, describing how Grant’s crimes have had a lasting effect on her including how it’s made her extremely protective of her own child.

His Honour Judge Hurst described Grant’s “cowardly defence” and criticised him for putting the victim through the difficult court process despite his recorded admissions.

Det Sgt Massey said: “I would like to extend my thanks to the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) from CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) who supported the victim throughout the whole process, including several days of jury deliberations, and being by her side today as she read her Victim Personal Statement.”

Det Sgt Shirley Cole, from the Quest team, said: “The Quest team is made up of dedicated, specialist officers who work day-in, day-out to get justice for victims.

“Our work shows that just because sexual abuse took place decades ago, it doesn’t mean that you have any less of a right to have someone who abused you held to account.

“I would urge anyone who was abused as a child to come forward and report to us what happened to them.”