A PROLIFIC paedophile who abused two young girls – one just six-years-old when it began - has been jailed for nine years.

Rodney Savage, 69, pleaded guilty to six sample offences, representing what a Carlisle Crown Court judge said was persistent abuse.

Some of it happened when Savage, a former soldier who also worked as a police officer, lived in Carlisle. He tried to deny his crimes when confronted and showed no concern whatsoever for his victims, say police.

Recently living in Cyprus, Savage agreed to return to the UK when police began their investigation, after the abuse came to light in 2019. He was charged after his victims contacted each other as adults and realised the extent of the abuse.  

After Savage was jailed, and put on the Sex Offender Register for life, investigating officer, Detective Constable Lisa Atkinson, said: “Both women have been incredibly brave in reporting what happened to them and they deserve huge credit. 

“Our enquiries uncovered the scale of abuse of which Savage carried out over a period spanning almost two decades. 

“When interviewed, Savage continually denied that he sexually abused these women when they were children. He has shown no remorse whatsoever for his crimes.

“I hope that this sentencing sends a clear message to survivors of sexual abuse, we are here to investigate what has happened and bring offenders to justice.

"No matter how long ago an incident occurred, we will do all we can to identify offenders and hold them to account. In this case we applied for Savage to be extradited from Cyprus so we could interview him and subsequently secure convictions. 

“Together with trusted partner agencies, we can provide you with tailored support that continues throughout the length of our enquiries. If you are a victim of sexual abuse, please do not suffer in silence.”

The defendant will be released on licence after he has served two thirds of his nine year sentence. A more detailed report of this court case will appear in tomorrow's News & Star.