Abuse spanned more than forty years

A 71-year-old man from West Ealing has been jailed for gross indecency against a number children which started in the 1970s.

Robert McKeown, of Bowmans Close, W13 moved to West London having previously lived and worked in Sheerness, Isle of Sheppey and Southend-On-Sea.

Police were contacted with allegations against him in August 2010 and an investigation was opened by the Metropolitan Police Service, Child Abuse Investigation Team.

McKeown was arrested on 26 August at his home in a warden controlled flat and later charged with 39 offences, relating to the sexual abuse of 4 victims and possession of extreme pornography.

The indictment was reduced to 10 counts and McKeowan pleaded guilty on 14 January to sex offences against boys - some as young as 12:

Gross Indecency, contrary to Section 1(1) of the Indecency with Children Act 1960 on a boy under the age of 14 years (A) between the 15 September 1975 and the 16 September 1980

Gross indecency, contrary to Section 1(1) of the Indecency with Children Act 1960. on boy under the age of 16 years (A) of between the 16 September 1980 and the 15 September 1982.

Sexual touching, contrary to Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 on a boy under the age of 13 (B) between the 12 November 2004 and the 13 November 2005.

Sexual touching, contrary to Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. on a boy under the age of 16 (B) between the 13 November 2006 and 13 November 2009. .

Indecent assault, contrary to Section 15(1) of and Schedule 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 on a boy under 14 years (C ) between the 19 July 1985 and 20July 1989.

Gross indecency, contrary to section 15(1) of and Schedule 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956. on a boy under 14 years (D) between the 18 of January 1978 and the 19 January 1986.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of an extreme pornographic image involving an animal.

Further charges will remain on file.

McKeown was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Wednesday 23 March to 9 years imprisonment.

Detective Inspector Sharon Brookes said:

"The Metropolitan Police Service, Child Abuse Investigation Team are specially trained to deal with victims of child abuse.

''It doesn't matter how historical the allegations are, they will be investigated and we will use our experience and professionalism to uncover the facts.

''In this instance victim A contacted us last year about abuse in the 70's and it was through our investigations we were able to establish McKeown had continued abusing victims until 2009.

" He is a predator, ingratiating himself with families with young boys in order to get close to the children. I have no doubt, even at the age of 70, he would have continued to look for further victims to abuse if given the opportunity."

28 March 2011