Barber, branded a Predatory Paedophile was sentenced to 14 years in prison for abusing eight children. William Barber was a Respected Councillor, School Governor and Pillar of the Community' in Brockworth, but he was secretly preying on vulnerable children as young as five.
Barber was found guilty of 18 charges of indecently assaulting or committing gross indecency with his eight victims over a 13 year period.
William Barber, of Southgate Street, Gloucester, was sentenced to 14 years in prison at Gloucester Crown Court. He was found guilty on Tuesday of 18 indecency charges, relating to offences which began in 1987.
Judge Jamie Tabor said "You have not shown one scintilla of concern for your victims, only for yourself." He added "You've left indelible psychological scars. You took away their childhood and their childhood memories."
Barber, who had denied the charges, was told he would have to sign the sex offenders register for the rest of his life. The former painter and decorator was found guilty of 16 counts of indecent assault and two of indecency with a child.
During the trial the court heard that eight children aged between five and 12 were abused - seven girls and one boy. The victims told the court Barber assaulted them at his home and in a caravan in the Forest of Dean. The first allegations came to light in 1998 and again in 2003 but it was not until fresh claims were made in 2010 that police were able to bring charges.
William Victor John Barber appeared before Gloucester Crown Court accused of 16 counts of indecent assault and two of indecency with a child.
The first allegations came to light in 1998 and again in 2003 but it was not until fresh claims were made in 2010 the police were able to put the case together. The jury of eight women and four men took two-and-a-half hours to find Barber guilty of all 18 charges.
Judge Jamie Tabor said the witnesses "showed great courage to come and give evidence about something which happened to you as a child". He added he was "very impressed with their dignity and their evidence was not tainted by malice".
Outcome:
Speaking outside court, Det Sgt Nigel Hatten said "had it not been for the victims courage, Barber may have remained free to prey upon other vulnerable young people. Barber was, to all intents and purposes, an upstanding member of the community. Sadly, he used that image of respectability to aid his offending and, like many predatory paedophiles, relied upon fear and intimidation to ensure his victims were too afraid to come forward. That has now all changed and we're very pleased he's now been brought to justice."