Man from Swindon found guilty of sexual assaults against child

The offences from Matthew Vandross took place between October 2020 and May 2021.

Author: Harry LongPublished 22nd Sep 2023

A man from Swindon is facing jail after being found guilty of 26 counts of sexual abuse against a child.

The offences from Matthew Vandross from Homington Avenue took place between October 2020 and May 2021.

Following a five day trial, Vandross was found guilty of sexual assault by touching, and four counts of rape.

The victim was under the age of 10.

Police have called the 30-year-old a "predatory offender", who abused a vulnerable child "in the most horrific way".

Officers also paid tribute to the victim, for her "extreme bravery" in coming forwards.

Vandross is due to be sentenced in November.

Det Con Mel Neal, from the Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “Since the beginning of this investigation, we have worked closely with partner agencies to ensure the victims in this case received the appropriate support and safeguarding they required.

“This predatory offender took advantage of a vulnerable child and abused her in the worst and most horrific way. Not only that, but he made horrific threats towards her if she dared report his offending to police.

“I would like to personally pay tribute to the two children involved in this case – it is thanks to their bravery that we secured a successful prosecution. Both girls have shown extreme bravery and courage beyond their years, despite enduring such a traumatic ordeal. Working within the Child Abuse Investigation Team, we come to work every day to protect people like these two girls and secure some form of justice for them.

“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of sex abuse to report it to police – no matter how much time has passed since the offences took place. We are committed to targeting dangerous offenders like Vandross and will do everything we can to ensure they are put before the courts.”

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