In a deeply distressing case that unfolded at Salisbury Crown Court this week, a Swindon man has been found guilty of multiple counts of child rape and sexual assault. Matthew Vandross, 30, residing on Homington Avenue, was convicted following a five-day trial.
The charges for which Vandross was found guilty are as follows:
– Sexual assault by touching
– Digital penetration (x21 counts)
– Rape of a child under 13 (x4 counts)
These heinous offences occurred over a period spanning from October 2020 to May 2021, during which Vandross subjected a young victim to unimaginable abuse. The victim was under the age of 10 when she courageously reported these traumatic incidents to the police, with the invaluable support of a friend who had witnessed her ordeal.
Detective Constable Mel Neal, a dedicated member of the Child Abuse Investigation Team, expressed her deep concern for the victims involved and the severity of Vandross’s actions. She stated, “This predatory offender took advantage of a vulnerable child and abused her in the worst and most horrific way. Not only that, but he made horrific threats towards her if she dared report his offending to police.”
Det Con Neal also praised the remarkable bravery displayed by the two children involved in the case, emphasising that their courage was instrumental in securing a successful prosecution. She acknowledged that both girls had shown immense bravery and resilience beyond their years despite enduring a profoundly traumatic ordeal.
Speaking on behalf of the Child Abuse Investigation Team, Det Con Neal affirmed their commitment to protecting victims like the two girls in this case and to pursuing justice relentlessly. She encouraged anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, regardless of the time elapsed since the offences occurred, to come forward and report it to the police. The team remains steadfast in their dedication to identifying and apprehending dangerous offenders, like Vandross, ensuring they face the full force of the law.
Matthew Vandross is scheduled to be sentenced on November 15, marking a pivotal moment for justice in this distressing case.
