WILTSHIRE Police has been criticised by a district judge for taking two years to bring a child abuse case to court.

District Judge Simon Cooper said had been shocked by the force’s approach to the case, which involved the abuse of a 15-year-old boy in a tent.

He granted Wiltshire Police’s bid for an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order to be issued against 56-year-old David Galvin of Royal Oak Close, Chippenham.

However, District Judge Cooper told the force’s barrister: “This kind of leisurely approach to dealing with cases involving young children and vulnerable victims is shocking. But I have wasted 15 years using that phrase.

“Tell [the chief constable] I’m pretty shocked by the dilatory way this case has been handled.”

He called for the case, which is understood to have been dropped, to be brought to court and the evidence tested.

A spokeswoman for Wiltshire Police said there was insufficient evidence to bring the case to court: “Safeguarding of the victim was reviewed regularly while our enquiries continued and the accommodation and whereabouts of Galvin was monitored at all times.

"We want all victims of crime to have confidence in our determination and dedication to fully investigate any allegations made to us and protecting those most vulnerable in our communities remains our top priority.

“Cases such as this are complex and can often take longer to investigate when compared to other types of crime, due to the sensitive nature of the allegations and the amount of evidence gathering required to reach a charging decision.”

The force began the court proceedings to make Galvin subject to the sexual harm prevention order in February 2018.