A man has been jailed after he was found guilty of taking advantage of and sexually abusing a 92-year-old woman with dementia who he helped to care for.
Eric Barton, aged 77 and of Hillview Road in Hucclecote, was sentenced to five years and six months in prison as well as being placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.
The sentencing took place at Gloucester Crown Court yesterday (Monday 12 December) after a jury found Barton guilty of five counts of engaging in sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding free choice.
Barton was also found not guilty of one count of penetrative sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding free choice and one count of inciting a person with a mental disorder impeding free choice to engage in sexual activity following a trial which concluded on Friday afternoon (9 December).
The court heard how Barton took advantage of the elderly victim while her relatives were under the impression that he could be trusted to help look after her garden and with jobs around the house.
Concerns were raised by the victim’s carers after they had seen him coming out of the kitchen while doing his trousers up and the victim pulling down her jumper.
The victim’s family subsequently checked CCTV cameras which showed Barton engaging in sexual activity with the elderly victim.
Experts deemed that the victim did not have the mental capacity to understand what was happening due to her dementia and a jury decided that he used this to take advantage of her.
In court the defence barrister described how Barton did not realise the severity of the victim’s dementia and believed that she could have refused at any time. He claimed that the victim was able to engage in sexual activity with him and had encouraged him.
The court was also told how Barton had no previous history of offending.
The victim’s family provided a victim impact statement on her behalf, part of which said: “In the weeks after the offence I constantly viewed the internal cameras as I was concerned that my mother would be attacked.
“Now that she is in a home it is made me realise how much stress this has caused me over the last few months.
“I have constant feelings of guilt that I could not protect my mother. For example, I should have put her in a home earlier and should have spotted what Barton was doing.
“The biggest issue for me is trust. I trusted Barton to look after my mum and he abused that trust which has deeply hurt us.”
Detective Constable Robert Brown, from the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team, said: “I am pleased that the jury has seen through Barton’s lies after the victim was subjected to such horrible offences.
“Barton has not shown any remorse for his actions, and his decision to plead not guilty meant that people known to himself and the victim had to stand up in court and give evidence on such an upsetting case.
“I would like to thank the victim’s carers for being vigilant in spotting unusual behaviour and raising their concerns, as this has safeguarded the victim and prevented her from coming to more harm.
“It is hoped this case proves as a warning to anyone who thinks they can take advantage of vulnerable people as it will not be tolerated.
“Gloucestershire Constabulary and the Crown Prosecution Service will work tirelessly to ensure that victims of sexual offences are heard and thorough investigations can take place.”
If you have been the victim of a sexual assault you can report it to police via the website here: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/
You can find more information on the support services available by visiting: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/support-for-victims-of-rape-and-sexual-assault/
Please note that no information can be shared publicly which leads to the victim being identified as she has anonymity so we ask that anyone who interacts with this post please takes this into account.
