Jailed: 'Manipulative' paedophile who sexually abused his own family in Croydon

A “persistent and manipulative” paedophile who carried out a series of sexual assaults on his own family members has been jailed.

David Defontaine, 53, was sentenced to 18 years behind bars on Friday after being found guilty of sexually abusing six victims.

Police launched an investigation into the Croydon man after the 11-year-old daughter of a family friend revealed she was being abused by him.

He was eventually charged, leading members of his own family to come forward and admit they too were victims of his abuse.

The former bus driver met his ex-partner when she was a 14-year-old girl travelling on his bus to school every day.

Defontaine, 30 years her senior, began a relationship with the girl and she became pregnant at the age of 15. Seven years later, he began abusing his own daughter from the relationship.

He also abused his own sister over 30 years ago when she was aged nine, as well as his sister’s niece who he abused as a nine-year-old in 2008.

He abused another niece, aged 10 at the time, in 2000.

Defontaine was found guilty of committing 16 offences against the six victims and on Friday, 23 June 2017, he was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment. He will have to serve an additional eight years on licence.

His victims agreed to waive part of the anonymity they are legally entitled to so that the public could know the extent of his crimes.

Detective Constable Darren Rose of the Met's Child Abuse Investigation Command said: "This was a campaign of sexual abuse that lasted over 30 years. The jury saw through Defontaine's lies and he was described by the judge as 'a persistent and manipulative paedophile'.

"All of the victims are to be congratulated for their courage in coming forward and the bravery they showed throughout this trial.."

Detective Constable Steve Parker, also of the Child Abuse Investigation Command, added: "Defontaine showed no remorse for the impact his actions have had on his victims. I hope that the substantial sentence he has been given offers the victims a measure of comfort and closure."