A PENSIONER who committed sexual offences against three girls, the youngest of whom was just 11 at the time, has been jailed for five years.
Patrick Costello, 68, of Sun Street, Woodville, Derbyshire, denied 10 of the 13 offences he was charged with and was sent to trial at Derby Crown Court.
However, he was found guilty by a jury of all 10 charges, which included several counts of gross indecency with a girl under 16, sexual activity with a child aged 13-17 and voyeurism.
Detective Staff Investigator Lindsey Scribbins described Costello's crimes as 'truly abhorrent’'.
Filmed girl
Costello's first offence took place to 1992, with the most recent being 2016.
The court heard how he repeatedly masturbated over two of his victims whilst they were asleep in their beds.
He also filmed one of the girls while she showered and watched while she changed in her bedroom.
His voyeurism continued when another girl became an adult and he watched her in the shower.
Costello had previously admitted making indecent images of a child, one count of voyeurism and possessing extreme animal pornography.
He was sentenced at Derby Crown Court on May 18 and was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a notification requirement for when he has served the custodial sentence.
Victims 'at most vulnerable'
"I am so proud of the courageous and dignified way in which the three (now) women affected by Costello's crimes have conducted themselves during this investigation and subsequent trial," said DSI Scribbins.
"Costello's behaviour was truly abhorrent. His offending was predatory, pre-meditated, and repeated, against three young girls when they were at their most vulnerable.
"My message for anyone out there who has been affected by sexual abuse or violence of any kind — whether now or in the past — is please come and speak to police about what happened to you.
"The survivors in this case came forward in recent years, despite the onset of this offending happening in the '90s.
"This shows that even cases of non-recent sexual abuse can result in a conviction.
"If you feel able, please report what happened to you — we will listen, we will support you, and we will not judge."
See More: Derbyshire Constabulary
