A 75-year-old man from Surbiton who systematically sexually abused a young girl and told her to keep quiet about his crimes has been jailed for 12 years.
William Raison, also known as Bill Raison, was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Thursday 17 September 2026, with an additional year to be served on licence after his release.
Raison targeted a girl known to him, who was under the age of 13, carrying out repeated sexual offences against her over a period of roughly a year. The survivor showed remarkable courage during the investigation, at times pretending to be asleep when Raison entered her room so she could observe his behaviour and gather evidence to stop him harming others.
When the girl directly challenged him about what he was doing, Raison dismissed her, telling her: “It doesn’t matter. Just don’t tell anyone.”
She disclosed the abuse to her family in February 2025, and Raison was swiftly arrested. William Raison was charged in April 2025 with seven offences: two counts of sexual assault by penetration of a girl under 13, four counts of sexual assault of a girl under 13, and one count of making 216 Category C indecent images of children.
Raison pleaded guilty to all seven counts at Guildford Crown Court on 19 June. Alongside the custodial term, the court imposed a lifelong restraining order protecting the survivor and her family, and a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order restricting his activities after release.
Investigating officer praises survivor’s bravery in William Raison case
Detective Constable Kiki Phillips, the investigating officer, commended the young survivor’s bravery throughout the case. She said Raison had used grooming behaviours to facilitate “deplorable, systematic abuse against the young survivor on numerous occasions”, and that he had “encouraged her to keep quiet about his heinous acts”.
DC Phillips added that “it was particularly commendable that the survivor remained courageous and open with officers throughout the police investigation”, and that her detailed statements helped officers secure vital forensic and digital evidence.
“The wealth of evidence accrued against Raison culminated in his pleading guilty to all charges at an early court hearing,” she said. “I hope that the survivor and her family can seek some solace in knowing that Raison is behind bars and unable to harm anyone else, thanks to her courage. I wish the survivor the best in achieving her aspirations and hope she recognises how many lives she’s saved.”
Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, introduced under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, allow courts to restrict offenders’ internet use, travel and contact with children after release. Under UK law, sexual assault by penetration of a child under 13 carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Surrey Police have encouraged anyone affected by sexual abuse to come forward, regardless of when the offence occurred.
The case follows other recent sexual-offence sentencings reported by London Streets, including a senior church figure jailed for eight and a half years and four members of a trafficking network jailed at Woolwich Crown Court over the sexual exploitation of 24 Thai women.
Reporting: South London News; Surrey Police.
