A predatory paedophile who abused three children is today starting a 25-year jail term after being convicted of 19 child sexual offences.
Vincent Slater, 57 (left), was convicted at a previous hearing at Swansea Crown Court of a string of offences including rape, sexual assault, assault by penetration, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Slater’s crimes first came to light in January this year when one of his victims reported the abuse he suffered at the hands of the former taxi driver approximately 11 years ago.
The victim, who is now an adult and who cannot be named for legal reasons, told officers he was befriended as a child by Slater, who groomed him by buying him cigarettes and allowing him to spend time in his taxi.
The abuse took place on a number of occasions and escalated over a period of time, ultimately leading to the rape of the young boy.
Two further victims came forward following Slater’s arrest, with both telling officers they were abused on several occasions when they were children.
The court heard Slater gave one of the girls money on one occasions following a sexual assault in an attempt to ensure her silence.
Vincent Slater, from Swansea, initially denied all the charges against him, but changed his plea to guilty on the day a trial was due to start.
Sentencing him to 25 years’ imprisonment today Judge Paul Thomas QC warned Slater was a danger to society and said his actions will continue to impact on the victims for the rest of their lives.
Following the case, Detective Constable Jacquetta Jones, of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) Unit, praised the courage of the victims who helped ensure Slater’s conviction.
DC Jones said:
“All three victims in this case were children when they were preyed on by Vincent Slater. They should have been able to trust him, but instead he preyed on their innocence and vulnerability to satisfy his own depraved desires.
“They may now be adults themselves but Slater’s actions continue to have a lasting impact on them. I thank them for having the courage to report the abuse and support the prosecution and I hope today’s sentencing will bring them some closure and comfort as they begin to move on with their lives.”
Detective Sergeant Anthony Evans added: “Today’s result is testament to the three individuals who found the courage to speak out and report Vincent Slater, and also to the team who were dedicated to working with them and ensuring this depraved paedophile was brought to justice.
“I hope it gives confidence to others who may be suffering in silence that they can come forward and report abuse. Regardless of how long ago it may have happened, I want to assure them that our specialist unit will fully and sensitively investigate their case.
“We fully appreciate how difficult it must be to come forward but I want to assure anyone considering doing so that they will be believed and treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. There is a whole range of support available from us and our partner agencies to guide them through the whole process.”
Sexual abuse can be reported via 101, or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Alternatively, help, advice and support can be sought from Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC). Visithttp://thesurvivorstrust.org/sarc/ contact 02920 335795.
