‘You are truly a monster’ - Child rapist sentenced to 20 years in prison at Bristol Crown Court

A 47-year-old child rapist was described as a ‘monster’ by a judge who jailed him for 20 years at Bristol Crown Court.

Matthew Dobie, originally from South Gloucestershire, was convicted of a number of child sex offences on Friday (February 18).

He was found guilty by majority verdict of two counts of raping a child and four counts of sexual activity with a child in December last year.

The offences were carried out on a single victim a number of years ago and reported to the police in 2020.

‘You thought nothing of the ruination of a young life’

Judge Julian Lambert described the abuse Dobie inflicted upon the victim as ‘despicable’.

Sentencing Dobie, he told him: “The extent of the damage which you did is utterly numbing.

“The damage done is irreparable. There is no question but that you knew what you were doing was wrong and wicked in the extreme.

“You chose your own corrupt sexual pleasures and thought nothing of the ruination of a young life.

“Few words can properly describe the depth of you degeneracy, few words can do you justice. You are truly a monster.”

Dobie was handed a 20-year sentence with a further four years to be served on licence.

He will be required to serve a minimum of two-thirds of his custodial sentence.

Dobie will also be placed on the sex offenders register as well as an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Victim showed ‘immense courage’

DC Melanie Downton, the officer on the case, said that Dobie had accepted no responsibility for his ‘deplorable’ actions and did ‘everything in his power’ to escape accountability for his crimes.

“I would like to thank the victim and their family who came forward in this case and commend their immense bravery in engaging with the police investigation,” added DC Downton.

Suzie Butler, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS South West, said: “The victim showed immense courage in speaking out against the perpetrator of these awful crimes and supporting the prosecution.

“I am very pleased that we were able to deliver justice for the victim in this case. The sentence handed down is wholly appropriate given the degree of harm that the defendant has caused.

“We want every victim of sexual assault to have the confidence to come forward to report abuse, in the knowledge that support is available and that the police and CPS are committed to securing justice.”

Hopes sentencing will urge more victims forward

Temporary Detective Inspector Hadley Rides said he hoped the significant sentence handed out to Dobie will give confidence to sexual abuse victims to report what has happened to them.

“I would reiterate our gratitude to the victim for their courage throughout this lengthy process,” he said.

“This investigation was managed by our dedicated child protection team, and I would like to thank each member of the team for working relentlessly and, in particular, DC Downton for her diligence in gathering the evidence required to secure the conviction of a predatory offender.

“Our message to any victim is that no matter how long ago it happened, you will be believed, your case will be taken seriously and we will do everything we can to obtain the evidence required to secure a conviction.”

If you’ve been a victim of sexual abuse, recent or non-recent, you don’t have to speak to the police.

You can self-refer to The Bridge, a Sexual Assault Referral Centre available 24/7 365 days a year.

Visit their website at thebridgecanhelp.org.uk or call 0117 342 6999.

You can also visit thisisnotanexcuse.org for details of charities and organisations who are experts in supporting victims of sexual offences.