Vile Rapist Who Abused Women and Children for 30 Years Jailed for 26 Years
A rapist described by police as a "vile human being" has been sentenced to prison after committing horrific crimes against women and children over a three-decade period. Christopher Welch, aged 66, of Westlands, Crafton in Braunton, was found guilty at Exeter Crown Court on February 25 of multiple offences.
Convictions and Sentencing Details
Welch was convicted of four counts of rape, one count of assault by penetration, and one count of indecent assault against a woman. Additionally, he was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault against children, two counts of indecency with a child, and one count of assault of a child under 13 by penetration. He also faced a conviction for indecent assault against a second woman.
On Thursday, April 2, he returned to court and received a 26-year sentence, with three years on licence. As part of his sentencing, Welch has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. The court heard that the offences were committed against three children and two women on numerous occasions during the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s in Devon.
Victim Impact and Police Response
Officers commended the victims for their bravery in coming forward and assisting with the investigation. Powerful victim personal statements were delivered in court, with one victim stating: "The impact this man has had is irreversible and I carry the weight of what he did to me every day in the life not lived... Take as many years from him as he did from me."
Detective Constable Kerry Mitchell commented: "Welch is a vile human being and a dangerous sexual predator and I welcome today's sentence. All of the victims showed immense courage in coming forward and telling someone about the offences. I hope that they, and the wider public, are reassured that Welch is now behind bars."
Support and Resources Available
If you have been affected by this article, help and assistance are available. You can visit victimcare-dc.org to access support services and information on your rights and how to navigate the criminal justice system. You can also call Victim Support on 0808 1689 111 or Devon and Cornwall Police's Victim Care Unit on 01392 475900.
Additional advice and support can be found at:
- National Rape Crisis Helpline: 0808 802 9999
- Devon and Cornwall Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC): 0300 3034626
For further details, please visit: www.dc.police.uk/Rape-SexualAssault. If you believe a child is in immediate danger from sexual abuse or exploitation, call 999 now. If it's not an emergency, please use the "Report" button on the website www.devon-cornwall.police.uk or call 101. You can report child sexual abuse anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
