A man who carried out years of sexual abuse against children across Wiltshire and the North East has been jailed for 23 years.
Michael Barker, 72, currently of Albert Hill in Durham and formerly of Swindon, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Monday (26 January) following his conviction on multiple serious offences.
Barker was found guilty last year of six counts of indecent assault, two counts of rape and gross indecency with a child. His offending took place over more than two decades, between 1974 and 1997, at addresses in Swindon, Chippenham and Bishop Auckland.
The court heard how Barker targeted young girls who knew him and trusted him, carrying out abuse in places where they should have felt safe, including their own homes.
One of the women who survived Barker’s abuse described the lasting impact in a statement read to the court. She spoke of losing her childhood and innocence, living with years of fear, nightmares and isolation, and the emotional toll of eventually coming forward to report what had happened.
She said that while giving evidence was deeply distressing, she knew she had to speak out for herself and for others. Following the sentencing, she described Barker as a manipulative offender and said she now considers herself a survivor.
Detective Constable Nicola Ainsley, from Wiltshire Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team, praised the courage shown by the victims throughout the investigation and trial.
She said the case highlighted the importance of reporting sexual offences, no matter how much time has passed, and acknowledged that for many victims it may be the first time they have spoken about their experiences.
DC Ainsley said the length of the sentence reflected the seriousness and sustained nature of Barker’s offending, adding that while the outcome may bring some closure, the impact of abuse suffered at such a young age can last a lifetime.
She also criticised Barker’s continued denial of wrongdoing, which forced the case to trial and caused further distress to those affected.
Wiltshire Police has encouraged anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault or abuse to come forward when they feel able, stressing that support is available both through the police and specialist organisations.
