Melksham man who sexually assaulted young girls described as ‘monster’

A man has been jailed for 20 years after being found guilty at trial of multiple sexual offences against young girls.  

Alan Styles, 44, formerly of Semington Road, Melksham, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on 19th June at Winchester Crown Court after being found guilty at trial in February of seven counts of sexual assault and one count of rape. 

The incidents took place between January 2019 and October 2023 at multiple locations. 

Styles was also issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and made subject to a restraining order. 

A parent of one of the victims told the court, “While I believed you were kind and caring, you were hiding the true person you really were. The reality is that you are a monster.” 

In a statement read to the court, a victim told Styles, “I didn’t know that one person could have such a big impact on another’s life until now. There is always a moment every day when it comes up, all of it. Terrible overwhelming thoughts and memories, it fills my brain and consumes my thoughts making me feel anxious and stressed. 

“Why did this happen to me? I didn’t deserve it. The overwhelming fear that if you were found not guilty, we would never get justice and be forever silenced. That fear, throughout the whole court process, that we wouldn’t get justice and could have been forever silenced, from the initial call to police to the trial has consumed so much of my mind when no young girl should ever have even one small thought about this devastating situation of being misunderstood, or the fear of not being believed.” 

Another victim told Alan Styles, “Everywhere I go there is a reminder of you. I find myself blaming me for what you did, like somehow it must have been my fault. 

“I told you to stop once but you didn’t listen and decided to still do it again and again, even after I said I didn’t want you to. 

“You made me think that it was bad to tell anyone because you told me not to and I didn’t know how to tell anyone the horrible truth. 

“My life changed so much as a consequence of what you did to me. I was a child and you exposed me to things I shouldn’t have ever been exposed to. My only hope is that you can have some sort of consequence that will change your life as much as what you did to me has changed mine. It haunts me every single day what you did to me. 

“I wish I could of told some one to make it stop.” 

Detective Sergeant Becki Nash said the victims in this case had shown considerable bravery during the investigation and in having to relive their experiences in court. 

“Styles targeted vulnerable young girls, using drugs and alcohol to abuse them, and then as his excuse for causing them harm,” she said. “Styles is deservedly behind bars, and we hope that this result will give confidence to others who have experienced these type of offences. You will be listened to and supported, and we have specially trained officers to investigate these offences.” 

Anyone who has been affected by sexual assault can contact police on 101 or report through the website https://www.wiltshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ 

Pictured: Alan Styles