88-year-old former children’s entertainer jailed for child sex offences

An 88-year-old former child’s entertainer has been jailed for 13 years after admitting a string of sexual offences against two boys in the 1970s.

George Holden abused the boys, who were aged 10 and under at the time of offences, during trips to Queens Park Leisure Centre, at his home in Brookbank Avenue, Chesterfield, and at a caravan site in Skegness.

Holden, who worked across the country as a children’s entertainer called Georgie The Clown, was previously convicted for sex offences against children in the 1960’s and 1980’s.

One of the complainants reported the abuse to Derbyshire Constabulary and specialist officers launched an investigation. During their enquiries a second victim was interviewed who told of the abuse he had also suffered.

Holden admitted in interview that he abused a string of children but claimed that, due to ill health and the length of time since the abuse took place, he could not remember the number of children that he had committed offences against.

He was subsequently charged with 18 offences against the two victims – which included counts of Buggery with a boy under the age of 16, Gross Indecency with a child under the age of 14 and counts of indecent assault with a boy under the age of 14.

He pleaded guilty to 17 of the offences including multiple counts of buggery with the same victim (under the age of 16).

He was sentenced today (Friday 5 November) at Derby Crown Court and must serve at least two thirds of the 13-year sentence. He will also remain on licence for a year after the sentence is complete and will appear on the sex offenders register for life.

Sergeant Ryan McVeigh, who investigated Holden’s offences, said: “I first want to pay tribute to both of the men who have come forward; for the trauma they have endured, for the courage they have shown in reporting these matters, and for their support in what has been a long running investigation.

“The crimes that Holden committed against them have left a lasting legacy for which there is no real closure.

“Holden is now 88-years-old, and he has lived his life without being held accountable for these crimes, until now.

“He has shown that he is a committed paedophile whose systematic abuse over three decades will have caused untold damage to so many young lives.”

If you have been affected by a similar crime, whether recent or non-recent, and would like some support you can contact SV2 – a Derbyshire based organisation who support victims of sexual violence.

Online www.sv2.org.uk or via their advice line 01773 746 115 (open 7 days a week 8am – 5pm).

You can contact Sv2 regardless of whether you wish to report an incident to police.

If you do wish to report something to us, you can do so via the following contact methods.

• Facebook – send us a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary
• Twitter – direct message our contact centre on @DerPolContact
• Website – complete the online contact form https://www.derbyshire.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/
• Phone – call us on 101.

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org.