Callum Waterhouse (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)
Last Updated: 2 minutes ago
A 27-year-old man from Nelson has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after being unanimously convicted of nine offences relating to the rape and sexual assault of two children.
Callum Waterhouse, of Llwyn-Yr-Eos, Nelson, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday 7 May after a jury found him guilty following an eight-day trial earlier this year.
He must serve a minimum of nine and a half years before becoming eligible to apply for parole.
The offending
According to Avon and Somerset Police, Waterhouse was 18 when he relocated from Wales to Bristol in 2016. There, he groomed a child before raping and sexually assaulting her on multiple occasions.
Later that same year, at the age of 19, he returned to the Torfaen area of Wales, where he groomed a teenage girl and subjected her to rape and sexual activity on numerous occasions.
Convictions
A jury unanimously found Waterhouse guilty on Thursday 5 March of all nine charges. Several of the counts were classified as “multiple offence” charges, meaning a number of separate incidents were compiled into a single count. His convictions comprised:
- Two counts of multiple rapes of a girl under 13 years old
- Two counts of multiple assaults of a child by penetration
- Sexual assault of a child under 13
- Rape of a girl
- Three counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15 when the offender was over 18
The investigation
The case first emerged in 2018, when Waterhouse’s first victim disclosed what had happened to the second victim. A report was subsequently made to Gwent Police, who referred the matter to Avon and Somerset Police.
The Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges in relation to both victims. Following an update provided to the first victim in July 2023, she made further disclosures about Waterhouse, leading to additional charges being brought in October 2023.
A trial originally scheduled for November 2024 was postponed until the end of February this year.
Victim impact statements
In her statement, Waterhouse’s first victim said: “Callum Waterhouse didn’t just take my childhood, he took my teenage years and the pain and trauma will live with me, but it won’t get the best of me.
“It took 10 years to get to court, but I am finally being heard now.”
She added: “I hate that this happened to me, I hate that he’s had such an affect, impact and change on my life.
“No jail time will ever give me what I should’ve had back. I blame Callum Waterhouse for the character you’ve forced me to be, for the failure in relationships and the lack of confidence and for making men my biggest nightmare.”
Speaking directly to Waterhouse, she said: “Today, I walk away from this, leaving all the evil and darkness with you. I give you my pain, my flashbacks and my fears, they will now be yours and I will now build a beautiful life for myself.
“I will finally know what happiness and freedom feels like, I refuse to live my life as your victim, I will work to rebuild myself. I refuse to let you have a hold on me any longer and you will now live with all the questions and I hope you live with guilty for the rest of your life.”
Waterhouse’s second victim said: “I felt lost and unsure about how to navigate and transition into adulthood. It has caused me eight years of constant grief and worry, feeling like I haven’t been able to move on with my life.”
Restrictions
In addition to his prison sentence, Waterhouse will be made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
Police response
Officer in the case, Det Insp Simon Da Costa said: “This has been a lengthy and complex investigation, followed by a significant wait for the trial.
“I want to acknowledge the victims’ patience and thank them for the courage they have shown in coming forward and supporting this case throughout. Their strength and resilience have been key in securing this conviction.
“The sentence reflects the serious harm caused by Callum Waterhouse. I hope the victims can take some reassurance from knowing he is now in custody and subject to ongoing restrictions, even after his release from prison.”
