Father and son jailed for horrific rape of daughter 50 years later

A woman sexually abused by her father and brother has revealed how a crucial letter helped put them behind bars years later. Warning: Graphic

Warning: Graphic

A British woman who was repeatedly raped by both her father and brother as a child has revealed how a crucial medical document helped jail the pair.

Sarah Sidebottom, 54, was relentlessly raped and sexually abused by her father Arthur William Bowditch, 75, from an early age, some of which she was too young to remember.

After her parents separated when she was 13, Sarah thought her “nightmare” was over.

But shortly after, her brother Arthur Stephen Bowditch, 56, began violently abusing her.

The first attack from her own dad when she was just three-and-a-half-years-old left her needing surgery to repair internal damage.

It was these hospital notes which proved crucial in securing a conviction for the abuse, almost 50 years later.

Sarah Sidebottom, 54, has spoken out after her father and brother were jailed almost 50 years after they subjected her to horrendous sexual abuse. Picture: Focus Features

Now married and a mum-of-two and a grandmother, Sarah recalled how her dad deceived everyone for decades.

“To the outside world, Dad was charming, a big character, larger than life, and well-known locally as a builder,” she said.

“But at home, he was a monster, with a dark, evil look in his eyes.”

Her father threatened to “shoot” Sarah and her mother if she told anyone of the abuse, The Sun reported.

When her parents separated, Arthur William Bowditch left the family home, taking her brother – known by his middle name of Stephen – with him.

But two years later Stephen, then 17, returned to live with Sarah and her grandma.

Soon after he raped his own sister for the first time when she was just 15.

“I couldn’t believe it was happening again. Stephen raped me and it was horrendous,” Sarah shared.

Arthur William Bowditch first raped his daughter when she was just three-years-old – leaving her with horror injuries. Picture: Focus Features

Her brother Stephen later raped Sarah when she was 15. He was 17 at the time. Picture: Focus Features

She hid the truth for decades, but a hospital letter exposed the horror’s she endured. Picture: Focus Features

For years, Sarah kept the awful truth to herself, and attempted to progress in life.

She started an office job before moving to a career in hospitality, but her life was plagued by memories of the attacks – and after two daughters and a second marriage, she decided to report the crimes.

In 2019, with the support of her new husband, Darren, 56, Sarah made an official complaint to the police, the Daily Mail reported.

Two years later, she was shown a copy of her medical records, including details of the surgery to repair internal damage from the rape.

The court heard how ‘harrowing’ the evidence was against the father and son rapists. Picture: Focus Features

Sarah has now written a book about her ordeal. Picture: Focus Features

Sarah, who waived her legal right to anonymity in order to raise awareness of the trauma of sexual abuse, said the document came as a complete shock.

“I had no idea about the surgery until 2021, when I saw my medical records. I was horrified,” she said.

“I had no memory of going into hospital, no memory at all of the operation. I have scarring down below, but I never really thought of it in connection with the sexual abuse.

“The police told me the letter was vital in the decision to bring charges against my father and brother.”

The letter, dated 25 April 1973, proved her father had lied to doctors about her injuries, The Mirror reported.

“Your patient was admitted under the surgeons having fallen downstairs and landed on a go-cart handle, which tore her perineum,” the letter read.

It went on to explain how the then-tot had needed extensive surgery to repair the severe tearing, leaving Sarah “in tears” over the discovery.

“Things were different in the 70s; I knew that,” Sarah said.

“But I couldn’t believe no one had challenged my father’s account of my injuries. The doctors believed his lie. I had no memory of the surgery and no idea the letter even existed – until now.”

In June 2022, Arthur William Bowditch and Stephen were sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after both being convicted of multiple counts of rape and indecent assault of girls in the 1980s and 1990s, Wales Online reported.

Judge Huw Rees said the defendants’ victims had been “denied a childhood” by their actions, and he said the statements from the women had been “harrowing” to listen to.

The judge added that Arthur William Bowditch had acted out of “degenerate and unhealthy sexual lust”.

Arthur William Bowditch was given a 21-year extended sentence comprising 20 years in custody followed by a one-year extended licence. Stephen was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Both will be registered sex offenders for the rest of their lives.

Sarah, has since penned a new book called ‘The Letter’ in the hope other survivors will come forward.