Four years' jail for indecent attacks (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Four years' jail for indecent attacks

FORMER cinema projectionist Albert Horton has been jailed for sex attacks that took place nearly 20 years ago.

Horton, 54, of Churchward Avenue, Rodbourne, admitted four counts of indecent assault when he appeared at Swindon Crown Court.

He was sent to prison for four years.

The court heard Horton would abuse girls on a weekly basis. One lost her virginity to him when she was 11.

Tim Hills, prosecuting, said Horton had made a full, frank and detailed admission of what he had done during police interviews after allegations were made in November last year.

Statements from the victims were partly read out in court and detailed how the sex ordeals had ruined their lives and any chance they had of forming long-term relationships with men.

During Horton's sentencing on Friday the court heard that his mother had been buried the day before.

Michael Pulsford, defending, said Horton was very remorseful for what he had done and was not able to say how the offences started, but they became a pattern.

It was never Horton's intention to put the girls in fear, he said.

"He is disgusted and is very ashamed of his conduct many years ago.

"This is someone whose life has collapsed around him," said Mr Pulsford.

Mr Pulsford said Horton was categorised as a low risk offender and had avoided temptation during the years he worked as a projectionist in an environment full of young children.

Passing sentence Judge John McNaught told Horton that he had made a terrible mess of his victim's lives and ordered him to be put on the Sex Offender's Register for life.

Giles Sheldrick