Another successful Operation Hope file completed

A man has been sentenced to two years imprisonment today in the Wellington District Court for historic sexual abuse charges against a girl under the age of 12 years.

Kenneth O'Reilly was found guilty on two charges of indecent assault at a trial in late March/early April this year. The offending occurred in Masterton in the late 1980s.

Detective Sergeant Barry Bysouth of the Wellington District Child Protection Team says, "Kenneth O’Reilly was investigated successfully as part of Operation Hope, a Wellington Police District operation set up to manage a large volume of uninvestigated reports of child abuse.

"Child abuse of any kind has a long term effect on the victims in any circumstances and in this particular case; the victim has carried the burden of her abuse for 30 years until today's sentencing."

He says for the victim in this case, the opportunity to tell her story and obtain convictions for his offending against her has gone a long way towards her recovery.

Detective Sergeant Bysouth says, "This particular case was legally challenging due to the historic offending from 30 years ago, however these convictions can act as a reassurance to the community that Police take child abuse investigations very seriously and that no matter how long ago they occurred, they can still come forward."

"We urge victims of historic physical and sexual abuse to have the confidence to pick up and phone and call us, knowing their complaint will be fully investigated, in an appropriate and timely manner."