Man sentenced to prison for string of non-recent sex offences including rape – Oxfordshire

Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit, a man has been sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment, including an extended year on licence, for a string of non-recent sex offences against a child.

Joseph Fay, aged 65, from Oxford, was found guilty by majority jury verdict of two counts of rape and numerous counts of indecent assault on a child aged under 13 after a trial at Oxford Crown Court, which concluded on 10 March.

He was acquitted of two other counts of indecent assault and the jury could not reach a verdict on a further count of indecency with a child.

Returning to the same court today (19/5) for sentencing, Fay was given an extended prison sentence.

The offending occurred in the 1980s against a victim in Oxford when Fay subjected the victim to numerous sexual assaults and rapes.

She reported the offending to Thames Valley Police in 2020 and Fay was charged on 17 February 2021.

Karen Zoldan, who worked on the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: “The victim in this case has had to endure many months of waiting, largely due to the Covid-19 pandemic causing a backlog of cases.

“But she wanted her voice to be heard and we were determined to bring Fay before the courts to be held accountable for his horrendous offending.

“The impact that this abuse has had on the victim has shaped her life and had a massive impact on her.

“I would like to pay tribute to her for her patience and for putting her trust in us to bring Fay to court.

“No matter what the passage of time, Thames Valley Police will always investigate offences of this nature, and I hope this sends a strong message to those who believe they can get away with offences from many years ago.

“Thanks to the courage of the victim in this case for coming forward, Fay will now serve a very lengthy prison sentence as a result of his actions, and I hope that this will help the victim to move on with her life.”

KB

Joseph Tay