An man who committed sexual assaults against a child in Camberley during the 1970s and evaded justice for decades has been jailed.

79-year-old Raymond John Hollis, from Wiltshire, was described as a "dangerous and predatory sexual offender" by Surrey Police, who announced he had been sent to prison for 16 years on Wednesday (January 13).

Hollis's sex crimes were committed in Camberley over a six year period between 1973 and 1979, while the victim was aged between 5 – 11 years old.

The victim kept this abuse to themselves for 45 years before finally having the strength to contact police in March 2019.

"Hollis was tracked down and promptly arrested on 8 April 2019," a spokesperson for Surrey Police said.

"Following a thorough investigation, he was charged on 24 December 2019 with six counts of indecent assault on a child under 13 and six counts of gross indecency with a child under 13 between 1973 and 1979," they added.

Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Mike Powell, of the Sexual Offences Investigation Team on the county police force, praised the victim's bravery in speaking out against their abuser: "The victim has shown remarkable courage and bravery in coming forward and reporting this offence to police.

"As a result of their actions, a dangerous and predatory sexual offender will be prevented from committing further similar crimes against others," he said.

"This conviction sends a clear message to anyone who believes they have been a victim of sexual abuse that we will do all we can to investigate each case fully and seek to prosecute those responsible.

"Likewise I hope that this sentence sends a clear message to the perpetrators of these offences that no matter how much time has passed, serious sexual assaults will not be tolerated by Surrey Police and we will do everything within our power to hold them accountable for their actions and bring them to justice," DC Powell added.

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