Man, 81, formerly of Oxted jailed for 12 years for sexual offences against two girls in the 1980s

A man formerly of Oxted has been jailed for 12 years after being found guilty of six sexual offences against two girls more than 40 years ago.

Clive Siddall, 81, was convicted following a trial at Kingston Crown Court and was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on 14 July. Surrey Police publicised the case this month.

What the court heard

The offences took place in the early 1980s, when both victims were young girls known to Siddall. The two women, now adults, described the devastating and long-lasting impact the abuse had on their lives.

The case came to light after one of the victims disclosed the abuse to a medical professional in 2022, which led to an initial report to police. Siddall was charged in April 2024 and denied the allegations when interviewed by officers.

A jury found him guilty of all six offences: one count of rape, one count of indecent assault on a girl under 16, and four counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14.

The sentence

Siddall was given 10 years for the rape and two years for the indecent assault on a girl under 16, to run consecutively — 12 years in total. He received a further three years and three months for the four indecent assaults on a girl under 14, to run concurrently.

‘A position of trust’

Detective Constable Fiona Clare, the investigating officer, said: “Clive Siddall was in a position of trust in his victims’ lives, and he exploited this in the worst possible way.” She praised the courage of the two survivors in coming forward.

Surrey Police headed its statement on the case with the words of one of the victims: “I think I will live in fear of him for the rest of my life.”

Where to get help

Anyone affected by sexual abuse, however long ago it happened, can report it to Surrey Police on 101 or online, or by calling 999 in an emergency. Rape Crisis England & Wales runs a free, confidential 24/7 support line on 0808 500 2222.