An 82-year-old man has been jailed for 19 years after being convicted of sexually abusing three girls in West Berkshire during the 1960s and 1970s.
David Fisher, of Halifax Place, Thatcham, was sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Monday after a jury found him guilty of 12 historic sexual offences following a trial earlier this year.
Fisher, who worked for the former Berkshire County Council and lived in Hampstead Norreys at the time, was convicted of offences against three children over a six-year period between 1966 and 1972.
The victims were aged 10 and 11 when the abuse began.
The offences were reported decades later after one of the victims saw Fisher on a bus.
A Thames Valley Police investigation subsequently identified two further victims and gathered evidence relating to offences committed between 1966 and 1972.
During the trial, the court heard that Fisher would persuade the children to get into his car before driving them to secluded woodland areas across West Berkshire, where the offences took place.
The locations included areas around Hampstead Norreys, Thatcham, Bucklebury, Yattendon, Frilsham, Stanford Dingley, Hermitage and Aldworth.
Fisher was convicted of six counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, four counts of indecency with a child and one count of indecent assault.
Five of the rape convictions related to the first victim, with the jury hearing that the offences occurred on at least 50 occasions.
Fisher was also convicted of three counts of indecent assault relating to the second victim.
In relation to the third victim, he was convicted of attempted rape, indecent assault, indecency with a child and rape. The first three offences were each found to have occurred on at least 10 occasions.
Sentencing Fisher to 19 years in prison, Judge Rachel Drake praised the victims for their courage and resilience in coming forward.
Detective Constable Alex Lister, from Thames Valley Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said Fisher had committed “appalling offences” against three girls over a number of years.
He said the victims had shown “courage” in coming forward and had been brave throughout the investigation and trial.
“They have ensured that Fisher has finally been held accountable for his actions,” he said.
Mr Lister added: “This case shows that no matter how much time has passed, we will listen to victims, investigate reports thoroughly and do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.”
Thames Valley Police said historic sexual offences would continue to be investigated and victims would be listened to and supported.
Anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence can report it to Thames Valley Police by calling 101, making a report online or visiting a police station.
In an emergency, people should call 999.
