Vigilance can report that today at Croydon Crown Court, a lustful old man who raped and indecently assaulted vulnerable girls by persuading them he possessed magical powers has been sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment.
William Lambert, 75 (28.09.35) of Malden Road, Sutton was convicted of one count of rape, two counts of indecent assault and two counts of procuring girls to have sexual intercourse by false pretences and representations.
His four victims were aged between 11 and 14-years old when they were first abused by Lambert between 1985 and 1987 in an outhouse on the grounds of St Dunstan’s Church in Cheam, where he worked as a gravedigger and then as a groundsman tending to graves.
Lambert used the outhouse, known as ‘The Shed’ as an unofficial drop-in centre/youth club. He in effect brainwashed his victims who were vulnerable and impressionable into believing he possessed special occult powers that could be transferred to them by having sex with him and that these powers would make their lives better.
Police sources said Lambert’s crimes came to light in 2009 when, following a counselling session, one of his victims, by then a mother in her 30s was prompted to think about the abuse she suffered. She reported Lambert to the police and an investigation was immediately launched by detectives from Sapphire - who investigate rape and other serious sexual violence.
It is said based on the victim’s account, detectives were able to identify and locate three further victims, one of whom had since emigrated from the UK.
Vigilance learnt he four women, who had not been in contact with each other since their teens, gave a similar story of the abuse they suffered at Lambert’s hands.
They described how he would welcome them into the church yard to listen to their problems. Lambert would make them feel ‘special’ and gain their trust.
However, he would then go on to speak to them about witchcraft and the occult and tell them he possessed special powers that could make their unhappy lives better. By this point the impressionable girls would be taken in by his claims and agree to sex in the belief his powers would be transferred to them.
Detective Inspector Neil Matthews, Sapphire, said: “I wish to praise the victims for their courage in coming forward to give evidence against Lambert and the untiring work of the investigation team.
“The Metropolitan Police Service will pursue relentlessly those who commit these types of offences, even when a number of years have passed as in this instance. I hope that this will bring a degree of closure to those affected by his actions