A Romford man has been jailed for 16 years after being convicted of repeatedly sexually abusing a child almost two decades ago.

Dave Roper, 58, of Stanley Avenue, Romford, was unanimously found guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court of four counts of indecent assault and two charges of indecency with a child under 14. He was also handed an extended licence period of two years and will remain subject to a 25-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Roper, who previously lived in Epping Forest, was reported to police in June 2022. He attended a voluntary interview in October that year, where he denied the allegations. Despite his denials, an investigation was launched, leading to charges and ultimately his conviction.

Survivor speaks out after 20 years

The victim-survivor, who has lifelong anonymity, came forward nearly 20 years after the abuse took place. In a powerful statement read to the court, she described the long-lasting impact:

"What happened to me as a child is something I buried deep inside for many years. I couldn’t face it until adulthood because the trauma was too overwhelming.

The scars this has left on me aren’t visible, but they run deep inside me. They have shaped who I am, how I live, and how I see the world."

Following sentencing, she added:

"The past does not disappear once a verdict is reached. I still live with the weight of those experiences every single day."

Police response

Detective Constable Rachel Horton, of the Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT), praised the survivor’s bravery:

"There is no ticking clock or deadline when it comes to our investigations into offences as serious as sexual abuse. Even if offences are non-recent, as long ago as 20 years in this case, we will still listen, we will still investigate, and we will still treat the matter as seriously as if it had just happened yesterday."

Sentence

Roper was sentenced in August 2025 to 16 years’ imprisonment plus two years on licence, reflecting the gravity of his offences.

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