OAPs convicted of historic sex crimes are raising the age of the prison population to record levels

PERVERTED pensioners convicted of historic sex crimes are driving the age of the prison population to record levels.

There are now 1,903 prisoners aged 70 or over in England and Wales – more than double the number a decade ago.

1

The numbers apply to everyone crimesbut many of them are related to sexual crimes.

The so-called Rolf Harris This effect means there are now 389 prisoners in their 80s – up from 112 in 2013.

And there are 25 in their 90s – an increase from a decade ago.

But the trend is putting extra pressure on prisons, as older inmates require more personal care, as well as regular transportation to medical appointments.

David Spencer, director of the Center for Crime Prevention, said: “Maybe so MoJ Should a special type of facility be considered, such as a kind of hybrid nursing home/prison for some of these very elderly and sick criminals?”

The increase is related to victims being more willing to speak out about historical abuse.

Famous perverts Rolf Harris, Gary Glitter And Stuart Hall were all brought to justice late in their lives.

But the law also catches up with former teachers, religious figures and others with a similarly dark past.

The CPS prosecuted 3,139 people over the age of 70 last year. Nearly 600 cases were sex crimes.

The Ministry of Justice said: “The prison population now includes more people over the age of 70, as does the country as a whole.”