Editor's Note: The following story contains details of sexual abuse of a minor that may be disturbing to some readers.
Steve “Dobby” Dawson, founding bassist of the influential British metal band Saxon, has been sentenced to six years in prison for sexual crimes against minors committed in the 1990s.
bbc news reports that Dawson, 72, was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault on a child under 14. Even more disturbing, Dawson was accused of repeatedly abusing a 6-year-old girl.
Detective Constable Robert Heath, who was prosecuting the case, said: “It is clear that her evil acts have stayed with her throughout her life, and I hope that this sentence will somehow enable her to move on from these traumatic events. And he added that the victim demonstrated “extraordinary strength” in coming forward with the accusations.
Dawson was Saxon's bassist from their formation in 1975 until his departure in 1986 amid conflicts with other band members. He appeared on all of their albums from their 1979 self-titled debut until 1985. Innocence is no excuse.
Saxon influenced countless bands, including Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Mötley Crüe and more. Dawson himself was apparently an inspiration for Harry Shearer's character, Derek Smalls, in This is a lumbar puncture.
While Dawson hasn't been in the band for almost 40 years, Saxon remains active and singer Biff Byford remains the only original member. In the '90s, Dawson and founding guitarist Graham Oliver began touring as Oliver/Dawson Saxon.
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