Current timestamp: 28/05/2022 05:01:27
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

SOH-Crest-Varied sizes large

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures
    • Road traffic incident
    • Antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • How to tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
    • Possible breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Register as an overseas visitor
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Request your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Man sentenced to seven years in prison for historic sexual offences

Main article content

Navigation

News

09:36 22/10/2021

A man has been sentenced to seven years in prison and placed indefinitely on the sex offenders register after being convicted of non-recent sexual abuse offences.

Geoffrey Welland, 78, of St Martin, Jersey, was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court yesterday (21 October), after he was found guilty of eight non-recent sexual offences, including seven counts of indecent assault on a female under 14 years and one count of gross indecency with a female under 14 years.

The offences related to two girls, aged five and nine years old at the time, and took place between 1967 and 1975 at an address in Farnham and addresses in Aldershot.

One of the victims came forward to Surrey Police in April 2012 to report the historic sexual abuse she had endured. After deciding not to pursue these allegations, she changed her mind and came forward again in 2017, at which time she said that she believed that there was a second victim involved.

Following further investigation, it transpired that Welland had subjected both girls to systematic sexual abuse over a sustained period.

Louise Andrews from Surrey Police’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team, which investigated the case, said: “Welland preyed on these two young girls and subjected them to a sustained period of sexual abuse over several years. One of them finally found the courage to come forward and report what had happened and for this she must be commended. As soon as we were made aware of the allegations, we carried out a thorough investigation and ensured that both victims were provided with support from specially trained officers.

“I hope that the sentence given to Welland will help both victims finally begin to come to terms with what has happened to them all those years ago which has left a lasting and devastating impact on both of their lives since, and that it will help them to be able to start to move on.

“The judge also commented that the offences Welland had committed were “truly life-changing” and a “very significant breach of trust which had caused severe psychological harm”.

“This sentence sends a clear message that Surrey Police will always investigate any report of sexual abuse, no matter how long it ago it occurred.”

For more advice on reporting sexual abuse, please visit our web site https://www.surrey.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Surrey Police

  • Contact us
  • Find a police station
  • About us
  • Jobs
  • News
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the police
  • Police & Crime Commissioner

Follow us on

© Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.