A Merley man has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for child sex abuse.

Christopher James Attwood, 39, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday 3 November. He had been found guilty of two charges of rape, three counts of indecent assault and two offences of sexual assault at an earlier trial at the same court.

Attwood was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and made the subject of a sex harm prevention order for an indefinite period.

The first victim disclosed to police in August 2018 that she had been raped and sexually assaulted by the defendant at an address in Bournemouth in 2002, when she was 11-years-old.

Attwood was interviewed and released under investigation in relation to those matters as detectives carried out further enquiries.

A second victim then came forward in March 2021 reporting that she had been repeatedly sexually abused by the defendant between 2001 and 2011 from when she was of primary school age. The offences occurred in the Bournemouth, Poole and Southampton areas.

Detective Constable Ade Stocker, of Dorset Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT), said: “I would like to praise the first victim in this case for her commitment and immense courage in reporting what happened to her. With the support of her family and friends Dorset Police was able to complete a detailed investigation, which has led to Attwood’s conviction.

“I hope the outcome of this case demonstrates that we will extensively and thoroughly investigate incidents of this nature and I would encourage any victims of sexual abuse to come forward and report it to Dorset Police.”

Detective Constable Sara Watts, of CAIT, added: “I would like to pay tribute to the second victim in this case and her family for their bravery in reporting these offences and allowing Dorset Police to carry out a thorough investigation.

“I am pleased that Christopher Attwood is now serving a term of imprisonment for his offending that he subjected his victims to. I hope this case demonstrates that we take reports of this nature extremely seriously and Dorset Police will continue to fully support victims of sexual abuse.”

How to report child abuse:

Dorset Police: For non-urgent reports, or to make an enquiry, please go to www.dorset.police.uk/contact, where you can pass on the details of your concerns to us using the online enquiry form. You can also email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or call 101. If you believe a child is in immediate danger please dial 999.

Crimestoppers: Call anonymously on 0800 555 111

Local Children’s Social Care:

STARS Dorset www.starsdorset.org/children-and-young-persons-service / 01202 308858

The Shores – Dorset SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) 01202 552 056

BCP Council 01202 093131

Dorset Council (Children’s Advice and Duty Service) 01305 228866

You can also report directly to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) www.ceop.police.uk