A Coventry man who abused three young children has been jailed. Derry Tift carried out a ‘disturbing’ campaign of abuse between 2001 and 2013.
Officers were alerted to the incidents when they raided his home, acting on intelligence that he had been accessing indecent images of children online, West Midlands Police said.
After the warrant was executed, a woman who was abused by Tift when she was younger came forward to speak of her ordeal, West Midlands Police said. Her bravery prompted another two survivors to come forward.
Officers also seized a computer and devices belonging to Tift. On them, they uncovered hundreds of indecent images of children, West Midlands Police said.
Tift, 49, admitted to 16 counts of sexual offences against three girls between 2001 and 2013. He also pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children at an earlier hearing at Warwick Crown Court.
On Monday (June 24), Tift was jailed for 15 years at Warwick Crown Court. He was also issued an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
Detective Constable Clare Sherwin, from the Public Protection Unit, said: “It highlights the importance of reporting sexual abuse regardless if the crimes are non-recent. If you are a survivor of sexual abuse then please report it.
“We have a team of specialist officers to help you and to guide you through the legal processes. We also work with a range of support groups that can offer advice.”
She added: “Three women bravely came forward to speak to officers and I hope it encourages other sexual abuse survivors to do the same.”
Survivors who would like to speak to the Public Protection Unit should call 101 or contact RSVP (Rape and Sexual Violence Project) Birmingham on 0121 643 4136.
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