October 2014
Pensioner pleads guilty to historic sexual offences against young girls committed in Haverhill
A pensioner who used to live in Haverhill has admitted committing sexual offences in the town.
Robert Roach, 72, appeared in Ipswich Crown Court today and pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault.
Roach, who previously pleaded not guilty, was due to stand trial.
The offences took place between October 18, 1980 and October 17, 1981 against a 14-year-old girl and between July 17, 2000 and September 10, 2000 against a 12-year-old girl.
Christopher Paxton, prosecuting, told the court that both offences represented a breach of trust.
Judge David Goodin said: “The offences to which you have pleaded guilty are very serious ones.
“They plainly cross the custody threshold. Because of the age of them the court has to sentence you with the maximum sentences available at the time.”
Judge Goodin added that sentencing would have been “considerably higher” had the offences taken place more recently.
Roach, now of Brewers Yard, Southminster, Essex, has been granted bail until sentencing on November 5.
