Foster carer jailed for sexually abusing vulnerable children in his care as young as 2-years-old

Jailed: Roy Darville has been sentenced to 16 years
Metropolitan police
Chloe Chaplain11 March 2017
WEST END FINAL

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A foster carer who raped and sexually abused vulnerable children in his care - some as young as two - has been jailed for 16 years.

Pensioner Roy Darvill, 79, preyed on five children he was responsible for looking after at his home in Walthamstow - repeatedly abusing them over a 20-year period.

His son 49-year-old Darren Darvill also sexually assaulted one of the victims in the same family home on The Crescent.

Police began investigating Darvill senior after a woman reported at an east London police station that she had sexually abused by Roy and Darren Darvill when she was a child.

Son: Darren Darvill also abused one of the victims
Metropolitan police

Following her disclosure, four more women were traced by the police and they too made allegations against him.

The victims had been placed Darville’s care throughout a period spanning from 1975 to 1995.

And from ages ranging from two to 16-years-old they were “systematically sexually abused” by the foster carer.

Working on the case DC Colleen Ryan said: “Roy Darvill preyed on the most vulnerable of children and abused his position of trust in the most horrific way imaginable.

Walthamstow: The victims were abused at his home on The Crescent
Google Maps

“The victims had been placed into his care where they should have been afforded the security and love every child deserves.

“Instead they were subjected to systematic sexual abuse. One of those victims was also abused by “Roy’s son, Darren. The effect this abuse has had on the victims’ adult lives should not be underestimated.”

Darvill pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court to rape and a further 29 counts of indecent assault.

On March 10 he was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment for the rape and various sentences for the indecent assault which will run concurrently.

His son Darren was found guilty of two counts of indecent assault which took place between 1984 and 1988.

He was handed a two year sentence - suspended for two years - for indecently assaulting one of the victims.

“Hopefully this conviction will send out a strong message that no matter the passage of time, police will conduct a thorough investigation and make every effort to bring perpetrators to justice.”

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