Romford paedophile Dave Roper locked up for 16 years
A Romford man has been jailed for 16 years after being found guilty of repeatedly sexually abusing a child nearly 20 years ago.
Dave Roper finally faces justice
Dave Roper, 58, of Stanley Avenue, Romford, was convicted at 1 Crown Court of four counts of indecent assault and two charges of indecency with a child under 14. He also received an extended licence period of two years and will remain subject to a 25-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Roper, who previously lived in Epping Forest, was reported to police in June 2022. He attended a voluntary interview in October but denied all allegations. Despite his claims, a full investigation led to charges and his eventual conviction.
Survivor breaks silence after two decades
The victim, granted lifelong anonymity, came forward nearly 20 years after the abuse. In a powerful court statement, she revealed the lasting torment:
“What happened to me as a child is something I buried deep inside for many years. I couldn’t face it until adulthood because the trauma was too overwhelming. The scars this has left on me aren’t visible, but they run deep inside me. They have shaped who I am, how I live, and how I see the world.”
After sentencing, she added:
“The past does not disappear once a verdict is reached. I still live with the weight of those experiences every single day.”
Police praise survivor’s courage
Detective Constable Rachel Horton from the Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT) hailed the survivor’s bravery and stressed the commitment to justice regardless of time passed:
“There is no ticking clock or deadline when it comes to investigating serious sexual abuse offences. Even if offences date back 20 years, as in this case, we will listen, we will investigate, and we will treat it as seriously as if it happened yesterday.”
Sentencing reflects severity of crimes
In August 2025, Roper was sentenced to 16 years behind bars, plus two years on licence, underscoring how seriously the court viewed his horrific offences.
