An apology has been issued to victims of sexual abuse who were 'let down' following a decision more than 20 years ago not to prosecute a man who is today starting a 21-year jail term.

Eastern Daily Press: Colin Waterfield. PIC: Supplied by Norfolk Police.Colin Waterfield. PIC: Supplied by Norfolk Police. (Image: Archant)

Colin Waterfield, 70, whose 'depraved behaviour spanned over 21 years' was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court yesterday after having been found guilty last month of rape and sex assaults involving eight children and one adult and possessing extreme pornography.

He had denied all the offences, which took place between 1973 and 1995, but the jury took less than five hours to convict him of 24 of the 30 counts he faced.

Waterfield, of Stonehouse Road, Norwich, had been investigated before in the 1990s but no charges were brought and it was not until 2013 that the case was reopened.

Police launched an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse against Waterfield in 1994 and a file was prepared and reviewed by the Crown Prosecution Service who advised no further action would be taken.

A spokesman for the CPS East of England said: 'It was decided at the time and after a thorough review of all available evidence that there was not a realistic prospect of conviction.'

Further complaints were received in 2005 and police made the decision not to proceed with new inquiries because no new evidence was offered.

Speaking after yesterday's sentencing hearing, Det Insp Paul Brown said: 'We know the police service has not always approached these crimes with the appropriate resources and understanding and, as a result, victims of sexual offence have been let down.

'A huge amount of work has been done within the police service to improve our response to reports of historical sexual abuse and change the way we investigate these offences.

'The case of Waterfield has been a complex inquiry over a period of three years and I hope this demonstrates to his victims, and people who have suffered at the hands of others, that we are committed to bringing offenders to justice and will give enquiries the resource and time they require.'

Det Insp Brown described the sentence handed to Waterfield as 'really significant' and said it reflected the 'many years of serious sexual abuse of children undertaken by Waterfield'.

Judge Stephen Holt said: 'One of the tragedies of this case was that five youngsters went to police in the 1990s and interviews were taken and recorded.

'But the system let those children down because no prosecution followed.'

He said the officer in the case pursued inquiries with 'diligence and dedication' and that he did not blame the CPS.

But he added that attitudes towards sexual abuse against children were 'very different' back then.

Judge Holt said Waterfield was extremely good at grooming children and had 'preyed on numerous youngsters'.

He called on Waterfield to read the victim statements in the case which were 'desperately sad' and showed many of the victims were still 'bearing the scars' of the abuse they suffered.

Lori Tucker, mitigating, said although Waterfield was still denying 'most, if not all' of the allegations against him, he had started to accept the jury's verdicts.

Victim impact statements

In impact statements written for the court, several of Waterfield's victims speak about how his abuse has 'destroyed' their lives leaving many suffering life-long anxiety and depression.

One victim said: 'He not only took my childhood away but it's all still there in my head… I still panic in small spaces or when I'm with strangers. I don't like leaving the house on my own and there have been times when I haven't left the house for days or weeks.'

Another statement read: 'As a child I didn't want to live any more and I still feel that as an adult. I buried what happened to me and didn't tell anyone as a child because I didn't think people would believe me.' The victim said they had made several suicide attempts and that Waterfield had ruined their life. The victim adds: 'I hope that I can start turning my life around now but the memories are still very painful.'

Another victim spoke of feeling 'dirty and worthless' and states they have a 'destructive personality' as a result of the abuse they suffered as a child.

Other victims speak of still suffering nightmares and finding it hard to form relationships as adults because they don't feel able to trust anyone.

The investigation

Norfolk Constabulary's Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) launched an inquiry in 2013 after police were contacted by one of Waterfield's victims.

Officers soon began to uncover a catalogue of abuse dating back decades and involving numerous victims – many of whom had been vulnerable children at the time.

The offences took place at three key addresses in the Norwich area including a property in Olive Road, Costessey.

In September 2014, on the back of the intelligence gathered, specialist police teams carried out a four-day search of the Costessey property and seized a number of items. As part of their inquiries officers also searched Waterfield's home address.

The NSPCC

A spokesman for the charity said Waterfield's victims had shown 'immense bravery' in speaking out about their treatment.

'Their statements, read in court, demonstrate the devastating impact this type of abuse has on young lives,' the spokesman said.

'It's vital that all survivors of abuse are given continuing support and know they will be listened to, no matter how much time has passed.'

Anyone concerned about abuse can contact the NSPCC's helpline on 0808 800 5000.