Ex-Southampton Taxi Driver and DJ Colin Sweed Locked Up for 18 Years Over Horrific Child Abuse
Jury Finds Sweed Guilty on All Counts
Colin Sweed, a former Southampton taxi driver and DJ, was convicted on Monday 20 August for a chilling campaign of sexual abuse against two young girls. The abuse spanned from 1986 to 2003, targeting the victims when they were as young as three and up to 14 years old. Sweed’s vile crimes included multiple counts of rape, indecent assault, and gross indecency involving underage girls at various locations across Southampton and the New Forest.
Brave Victims and Support Groups Bring Predator to Justice
The case came to light when one victim bravely reached out to Yellow Door (formerly the Rape Crisis Team) in June 2016. An Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) helped her report the abuse to police, which led to identifying another victim who also supported a police investigation. Yellow Door and police worked tirelessly together over two years to build a solid case against Sweed.
Strong Words from Police and Support Teams
Detective Constable Heather Tack of the Western Investigation Team said:
“We don’t underestimate the long-lasting effects that this sort of offending has on victims. I would like to thank the women involved for their courage in coming forward and re-living these horrendous experiences in the courtroom in order to bring this man to justice.”
Tracey Stovold, ISVA coordinator, added:
“It takes an enormous amount of courage for victims to come forward and report these types of offences. They often do so not just to see justice done but to protect others. The ISVA team and police collaborated closely to provide essential support for victims throughout.”
Sweed Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison
The grim investigation ended with Sweed receiving an 18-year jail term. His crimes robbed the victims of much of their childhoods, but their bravery has ensured he will pay for his monstrous actions behind bars.
