Fort Victoria child rapist Graham Medway JAILED

Graham Medway, 62, of no fixed address but formerly of Freshwater, had previously admitted rape of a child at the park near Yarmouth.

He will serve nine years in custody then five on licence.

On the afternoon of Monday, August 31, the victim was seriously sexually assaulted by Medway, a stranger, in woodland in Fort Victoria Country Park.

Graham Medway. (Picture: Hampshire Constabulary)

A huge investigation was launched into the serious sexual offence at the Yarmouth beauty spot.

• Read more: Isle of Wight beauty spot now a crime scene after child sex attack

David Richards, prosecuting, said the offence was the oral rape of a three year old.

The girl had run away from her mother in the woods on a family day out, and a frantic search took place.

The mother ran through the paths searching for the little girl and asked a couple if they had seen her.

Read more: The family's trauma is heard in court via victim statement 

They hadn’t, but later saw her with Medway. It appeared they had emerged from the bushes, the Crown said. It looked like Medway bent down and was telling the girl off.

The girl was reunited with her parents within eight minutes of going missing, and she told her mother straightaway what had happened. The little girl had wet herself.

She repeated what had happened later to police, and described a hat worn by Medway, which was later found on his boat. She also described his clothes well.

Police vehicles at Fort Victoria, during the investigation.

Medway was arrested that evening, and DNA from the girl was found on his underwear – with a 92 million to one chance it was not hers.

He denied the offence at first, which meant the girl had to be interviewed for detail.

The family of the victim were in court and their victim impact was read out.

Elisabeth Bussey-Jones, for Medway, said it was his first offence.

He had always worked, driving large machinery, and was soon to retire.

By pleading guilty at an earlier court hearing, he had saved the family from further anguish of a trial.

Ms Bussey-Jones said Medway was ashamed and disgusted and apologised, but was aware an apology provides no comfort to the victim’s family.

He had also brought shame on his own family, and has had no contact with them since.

Ms Bussey-Jones said it was not pre-planned but opportunistic, as he didn’t know he would come across a child who had become separated from her parents.

Ms Bussey-Jones said nothing she had said diminished from it being a very serious offence.

Judge Roger Hetherington said Medway abducted the child off the path into the bushes, after the child encountered the complete stranger. 

He said: “I have no doubt you were loitering in the park waiting for precisely this.

“You pleaded guilty only when presented with forensic evidence. It is obvious you are a significant risk to the public and you have a sexual attraction to children.”

At a previous court hearing, Medway was made subject to a sexual offences prevention order and was put on the sexual offenders' register.

At a previous hearing at the Isle of Wight Crown Court, Recorder Simon Levene ordered a probation report on Medway to determine whether he poses a danger to society.

Speaking afterwards, Detective Chief Inspector Liam Davies, who led the investigation, said: “I am so pleased that we have been able to secure justice for the young girl and her family in this case.

“I want to formally thank them for their brave support as well as the public for their overwhelming response to our appeals. Both have been pivotal in achieving a successful conviction.

“It is also important to recognise the efforts of staff across the Constabulary who worked around the clock away from their families to ensure we were able to get this dangerous man off our streets”.

Superintendent Sarah Jackson, District Commander for the Isle of Wight, said: “The officers involved in this awful case worked tirelessly to bring the investigation to the point we have reached today.

“Stranger assaults of this nature against children are extremely rare, and I hope the community feels reassured that when we receive these sorts of allegations, we will take them seriously and we will do everything in our power to bring those responsible to justice.

“We work very hard on the Isle of Wight to tackle sexual offences in partnership with organisations that support survivors. We want you to have the confidence to come forward and talk to us if something has happened to you, or somebody you know.”

Following the sentencing, an NSPCC spokesperson said:

“This is a deeply disturbing case, in which a very young girl was subjected to a brutal and terrifying ordeal. Medway’s abuse will have had a profound effect on this child and her family, and it is vital they are provided with the full support they need to recover and move on from this.

“If you suspect a child has been assaulted, you can speak in confidence to NSPCC professionals on our helpline seven days a week on 0808 800 5000, or email help@nspcc.org.uk. If someone is in immediate danger always call 999.”