Man jailed after historic sexual assault on two young boys in Wiltshire
The case was reopened a few years ago
A man has been convicted and jailed, after sexually assaulting two young brothers in Wiltshire more than 40 years ago.
Stefon Francis Winter, who is now 70-years-old, was this week found guilty of two counts of indecency and two counts of gross indecency.
On the evening of Sunday 15 June 1980, Winter assaulted two children in the changing rooms of Highbury Football Field in Warminster.
The brothers had been playing football together, before being led away by Winter and attacked.
DNA technology was not available at the time, so the case was reported to police and clothing was seized.
In 2016, the incident was selected for a cold case review with the advances in technology available to Wiltshire Police.
The items were re-examined and Winter's DNA was found on one of the brothers' clothes. The offender was then arrested from his home address in Goatacre, Calne.
After protracted further enquiries, Winter was subsequently charged with the offences as they would have been in 1980.
The 70-year-old pleaded not guilty in court, however, on Friday 10 September a jury convicted him of all four counts and he was jailed for a total of three years.
'A horrible, traumatic assault'
Detective Inspector Tom Straker, from Central CID, said: “This was a horrible, traumatic assault which understandably had a long-lasting impact on the two victims.
“Not only did they have to re-live the incident when the cold case was reopened, but they had to hear it all again in court due to Winter refusing to admit what he had done.
“I hope this conviction shows that no unsolved case of this nature is completely closed and that we will continue to fight to get justice for victims".
It's the second time recently that a Wiltshire cold case has been re-examined and been helped by the advances in DNA technology.
Kenneth Wells pleaded guilty to a serious sexual assault in Collingbourne Ducis, which also took place in 1980.
'A warning to anyone else out there who has committed offences'
Detective Constable Chris McLoughlin, the officer in the case, added:
“I want to pay tribute to the two victims in this case and thank them for the bravery they have shown in supporting the police throughout this investigation. Furthermore, to the scientists and archivists nationally who have so professionally made this possible.
“Winter is a dangerous offender, who has escaped justice for more than 40 years and I welcome this conviction which will see him put behind bars and ensure he no longer poses any risk to the public.
"Let this be a warning to anyone else out there who has committed offences and has, so far, evaded the law".
Wiltshire Police is now urging any victims of sexual offences to report incidents to officers. This can be done by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.