Pensioner jailed for sex assault on 12-year-old Crawley girl he met through Jehovah's Witness church
By CBallinger | Posted: May 29, 2014
JAILED: Oliver Connor has been sentenced for a historic sex assault on a Crawley girl
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A 73-year-old man has been jailed for a historic sex offence on a Crawley girl he met through the Jehovah's Witness church.
Oliver Connor, who is already serving 12 and a half years imprisonment for sexual assaults on young girls in Berkshire, has now been sentenced to a further two and half years for a sexual assault on a 12-year-old girl which happened nearly 20 years ago.
Connor, of Blackstock Crescent in Sompting, was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court on May 16 of an indecent assault on the girl, who he had befriended through her family, at an address in Crawley.
Connor, who used to live in Crawley, is known to have been an active member of the Jehovah's Witness church for many years and it was through the faith that he made his initial contact.
Connor had previously appeared at Reading Crown Court in July 2012 for a series of sexual assaults on two young girls in Slough and Burnham Beeches between 1979 and 1982.
Detective Constable Ollie Summers of Crawley CID said; "News of this conviction encouraged the Crawley victim to come forward later in 2012.
"We worked with her in a thorough investigation which included liaison with colleagues from Thames Valley Police in order to better understand Connor's previous crimes which helped to strengthen our case against him
"She gave evidence in court and this has now achieved some justice for her and will hopefully help her to move on with her life. It also shows that we will always take such allegations seriously, no matter how long ago they are said to have happened."
Connor had lived in Sussex for several years, in Crawley and in Sompting until he was arrested by Thames Valley officers two years ago. Both we and Thames Valley Police would encourage anyone else who wishes to report being assaulted by Connor at any time over the past 35 years to get in touch.
"We know that Connor, who worked as an electrician, was for many years an active member of the Jehovah's Witness church, wherever he lived, and it was through that church that he met his Crawley victim.
"You can call us in confidence at any time via 101 and arrange to talk in confidence to detectives."