A 76-year-old former employee of Oxford University Museum of Natural History has received a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to a historical sexual offence against a child.
George Candelin, who resided in Mirfield Road, Witney, was found guilty of indecent assault following proceedings at Oxford Crown Court.
The incident occurred at his home address in 1985, when Candelin was approximately 35 years old.
The complainant was a young girl at the time of the assault.
The prosecution detailed on 17 September how Candelin had made physical contact with the victim beneath her clothing.
The matter only came to light recently, leaving the complainant experiencing elevated anxiety levels.
In her victim statement, the woman explained that as a young person she had felt bewildered by what was happening and had wondered whether she had somehow caused the incident.
She stated that she bore no responsibility whatsoever for what occurred.
The complainant advised the court that the assault had created difficulties throughout her life, particularly in forming close relationships, which she believed was directly connected to her experiences.
She described carrying a burden of guilt for many years and expressed worry about the potential consequences of reporting the matter.
She had spent extended periods isolating herself.
The complainant indicated that having been heard had relieved a weight she had carried for years and that she had feared how disclosure might affect her.
While acknowledging Candelin’s current age, she emphasised that the impact of the abuse had not remained confined to the past and expressed hope that speaking out would bring justice and a sense of finality.
The defence, represented by Nick Cotter, acknowledged the enduring harm caused to the victim while noting that the defendant’s life had taken a negative trajectory and that he had demonstrated significant remorse.
Candelin held the position of swift keeper at the museum’s tower, responsible for overseeing the historic breeding colony of common swifts.
He continued in this capacity until at least June this year, when a YouTube video featured him discussing his duties.
He had previously spoken about the role in media interviews, including an interview with this newspaper in 2022.
The defendant had also been interviewed by the British Ornithologists’ Club in June of this year.
The sentence consisted of two years imprisonment, suspended for two years.
A restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim was also imposed for the same period.
Passing sentence, Judge Ian Pringle KC observed that the effects on the victim had been profound and characterised the offence as a selfish, sexual act.
A spokesperson for the Museum of Natural History stated that Candelin had been employed as a casual worker in the swift keeper role.
The museum indicated that it could not comment on individual staffing matters while affirming that the safety and wellbeing of children and vulnerable individuals constituted a priority, with robust safeguarding procedures in place for raising and responding to such concerns.