Man jailed for 25 years for rape and sexual offences

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 15:47 · Archive

Neil Chiddy, 49, was sentenced to 25 years after being convicted of rape and sexual offences against a woman and children.

Neil Chiddy, aged 49 and of no fixed abode, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison at Bristol Crown Court for non-recent rape and sexual offences. A jury convicted him following a trial in July of multiple counts including two counts of rape of a child, one count of rape of a woman, two counts of indecent assault, three counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of sexual assault against a child.

The offences took place over several years in Wiltshire and the Bath and North East Somerset area. The victims comprised one woman and two children. Detectives remained in contact with the victims throughout the investigation, offering access to support services.

One victim described the impact of the abuse, saying: 'It has taken me years to accept what has happened. At the time, I did not know that what was happening to me was not normal. It took me years to speak to anyone about what he had done. I kept silent, I was ashamed and I was worried about the impact on my family. When I eventually told someone what he had done to me, it finally felt real. To this day, I am still trying to process what on Earth had gone on.'

Chiddy was arrested in the West Midlands in November 2022 after a victim disclosed the abuse to their family and police. Investigating officer T/DS Olivia McNeill, from Avon and Somerset Police, stated: 'Chiddy's offending demonstrated a sustained pattern of predatory sexual behaviour spanning several decades.'

How it is being reported

• Man jailed for 25 years for rape and sexual offences against woman and childrenA man has been jailed for 25 years for non-recent rape and sexual offences against a woman and children in Wiltshire and other areas.Gazette & Herald · 28 Oct, 17:50
• Man jailed for 25 years for rape and sexual offences against woman and childrenA man has been jailed for 25 years for non-recent rape and sexual offences against a woman and children in Wiltshire and other areas.Swindon Advertiser · 28 Oct, 17:50
• Man jailed for 25 years for rape and sexual offences against woman and childrenA man has been jailed for 25 years for non-recent rape and sexual offences against a woman and children in Wiltshire and other areas.Wiltshire Times · 28 Oct, 17:50

In this story: Neil Chiddy · Bristol Crown Court · Wiltshire · Bath and North East Somerset · West Midlands · Avon and Somerset Police

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log