A 75-year-old South West London man has been jailed for 12 years after subjecting a young girl he knew to a year of “deplorable, systematic abuse”.
A 75-year-old man from South West London has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after he subjected a young girl known to him to “deplorable, systematic abuse” over the course of about a year, a court has heard.
William Raison, also known as Bill Raison, 75, from Surbiton, was jailed today (Thursday, 17 September) with an additional year on licence following his conviction at Guildford Crown Court.
He was arrested in February 2025 after the survivor confided in her family about what had happened. In April, Raison was charged with two counts of sexual assault by penetration of a girl under 13, four counts of sexual assault of a girl under 13, and making 216 Category C indecent images of children.
During a police interview, the survivor described pretending to be asleep when Raison entered the room because she wanted to know what he would do if he thought she was asleep. If he did anything bad to her, she wanted to tell someone so it wouldn’t happen to anyone else. On one occasion when she did challenge him directly, he replied dismissively “It doesn’t matter. Just don’t tell anyone.”
Police said Raison used those seven words in an attempt to absolve himself of blame and make the child complicit in covering up his acts. Investigating officer DC Kiki Phillips stated that Raison used grooming behaviours to facilitate the abuse on numerous occasions while encouraging the victim to keep quiet.
The survivor’s clear and detailed testimony allowed officers to pinpoint both forensic and digital forensic evidence against Raison. Facing a wealth of accrued evidence, Raison pleaded guilty to all seven charges at Guildford Crown Court on Friday, 19 June.
Sentenced on Thursday, 17 September, Raison received a 12-year custodial sentence with an extra year to be served on licence.
The court also granted a lifelong restraining order to protect the survivor and her family, alongside a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
DC Phillips praised the survivor’s courage throughout the investigation. They added: “I hope that the survivor and her family can seek some solace in knowing that Raison is behind bars and unable to harm anyone else, thanks to her courage. I wish the survivor the best in achieving her aspirations and hope she recognises how many lives she’s saved.””
Police reminded the public that it is never too late for victims of sexual offences to report crimes.
