Former Salvation Army bandsman James Summers jailed for seven years

Former Salvation Army bandsman James Summers jailed for seven years for further sexual assaults whilst serving an eighteen year sentence for other sexual offences.

VICTIMS abused by a “predatory paedophile” James Summers who will die behind bars could still be keeping their suffering a secret.

Former Salvation Army bandsman James Summers was jailed for seven years on Monday for raping a four-year-old and indecently assaulting a 10-year-old in the 1990s and early 2000s after a week-long trial.

It came almost four years after the pensioner was jailed for 18 years for six counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault involving three young girls, including one who had learning difficulties.

Officer in the case Det Con Tania Wasilewski-Norman, of Thames Valley Police’s Cowley Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said there was a chance more victims were yet to come forward.

She added: “I think in any case where there are multiple victims, there is always a chance that there could be more [victims].”

During the trial, Oxford Crown Court heard 83-year-old Summers abused the “vulnerable” victims when he was living in a caravan in Lyndene Road, Didcot, which he shared with late wife Ethel and their son.

The first victim, who is now in her thirties, told jurors she informed police of the abuse after her dad saw Summers in the Oxford Mail following his conviction for child sex offences after a trial in 2012.

Det Con Wasilewski-Norman said she was “sure” there were child sex offenders in the county who think they have escaped punishment for their historic crimes.

But she added: “We will do whatever we can to bring them to justice and face the consequences of their actions no matter how long ago.”

The officer said the force had seen an increase in reports of child sex offences in recent years and hoped victims would continue to speak of their torment.

She added: “I hope we can get people to come forward and we can get the public to feel that we are dealing with these issues in a manner in which they can feel they can put a lot of confidence in the police.

“Trust is a big thing for any victim of abuse. They need to know there is somebody there fighting their corner.”

Det Con Wasilewski-Norman said she was relieved when Summers was given additional time in jail, which he will begin serving in 2021 – when he initially would have been eligible for release after serving nine of his 18 years.

She added: “The victims are just trying to come to terms with what’s happening. They proved to be strong and very very brave.

“The fact that the jury believed them, I think it made a huge difference to them and hopefully now they can move forward and start seeing a future without this hanging over their head.”

A jury of seven men and five women unanimously convicted Summers of two counts of rape and gave a majority verdict for two counts of indecent assault on Monday.

Verisona Law have specific expertise in dealing with claims in respect of child abuse. If you were subject to abuse please do not hesitate to contact our specialist child abuse team. We will treat any communications with the strictest of confidence.