Search results for Suffolk

Description

A 51-year-old man has been jailed after being found guilty of multiple child sex offences against two victims.

John Fordham, of no fixed abode but from Bury St Edmunds, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, 16 October, where he was handed an extended licence totalling 26 years, made up of 19 years’ imprisonment and seven years on licence.

Extended sentences are handed to those who are convicted of serious violent or sexual offences, where an additional period of post-release supervision is required to protect the public.

Fordham had denied the charges against him but was found guilty by a jury following an eight-day trial of the following:

• Four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 years
• Three counts of rape
• Three counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Two counts of sexual activity with a child

The offences involved two victims – two girls.

The court heard that Fordham repeatedly sought opportunities to isolate his victims to sexually assault them and that the abuse was carried out separately to each other.

In addition to his sentence, Fordham was made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention order and lifetime restraining orders in respect of his victims. He will also be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

PC Karen Hammond, who was the officer in charge of the case, said:

“John Fordham has taken no responsibility for his actions or shown any remorse. He is a dangerous sexual predator who manipulated and abused his victims, causing profound and lasting harm.

“The victims had their childhood stripped from them and while no sentence can undo the trauma they have endured, I hope this sentencing result provides them with a sense of justice and helps them to move forward with their lives.

“I would like to pay tribute to the immense bravery shown by the victims throughout the investigation and court proceedings. It is because of their courage that Fordham has been brought to justice and will now spend a significant amount of time behind bars.

“I would urge anyone who has experienced sexual abuse to please report it. We will always listen to you and take appropriate action, no matter how long ago the offence took place.”

Description

A registered sex offender from Lowestoft has been jailed for two years for possessing indecent images of children and for breaching the terms of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Brandon Stephenson, (pictured below) aged 25 and of Milton Road East, had been convicted in March 2023 of making and possessing indecent images of children. He was handed a 24-month community order after pleading guilty to the charges and was served with a five-year SHPO.

Following this conviction, he was managed by the Public Protection Unit (PPU).

On 17 June 2025 officers made an unannounced visit to Stephenson’s his home address and found a mobile phone he had not declared to police.

The phone was reviewed by a PPU officer, who found evidence of sexualised chats via a gaming chat app. On Stephenson’s computer, officers found a folder of images and evidence that he had downloaded data-wiping software.

The phone, computer and a tablet were seized for further analysis and Stephenson was arrested and subsequently charged for possession of indecent images and for being in breach of his SHPO.

He was released under investigation pending further enquiries, during which time he failed to notify the PPU of a change in address within a relevant time period.

On Friday 4 September Stephenson appeared at Ipswich Crown Court for sentencing after admitting to three counts of possessing indecent images of children, three counts of being in breach of a SHPO and one count of failing to comply with notification requirements of the sex offenders register, at a previous hearing.

He was sentenced to two years in jail and handed a revised SHPO for five years and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Public Protection Unit Sergeant Annmarie Mason said:

“Sexual Harm Prevention Orders are designed to protect the public, particularly children, from individuals who pose a risk.

“Brandon Stephenson was fully aware of the conditions he was required to follow and chose to ignore them.

“Suffolk Constabulary takes the management of sex offenders very seriously and we will take robust action against those who fail to comply with their court orders.”

Description

A 78-year-old man from Bury St Edmunds has been jailed after being found guilty of 18 non-recent child sexual offences.

Frank Bowyer, of Ridley Road in Bury St Edmunds, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court today, Friday 28 August, where he was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.

Bowyer had denied the charges against him but was found guilty by a jury of the following offences after an eight-day trial:

• seven counts of sexually assaulting a child
• seven counts of assaulting a child by penetration
• four counts of indecent assault

The court heard that the offences were committed over a 10-year period and related to three victims, all girls aged between four and 12 years.

The offences were first reported to police in August 2023.

Victim Personal Statements were read out in court on behalf of the victims.

One victim said: “Since the assault that occurred to me as a child, I have experienced significant emotional distress and mental issues. I suffer from severe depression, sleep disturbance and have had several anxiety attacks about related issues…”

Another wrote: “The abuse took away my childhood. It took away my sense of safety, my ability to trust, and the chance to live without fear.”

The third victim directed her closing statement to the judge: “When you consider sentencing today… think of the frightened little girl who never had a voice, who had no choice, and who carried this burden in silence for so many years.”

In addition to his sentence, Bowyer was ordered to sign the sex offender’s register for life.

Detective Constable Marie Appleby, who was the officer in charge of the case, said:

“Frank Bowyer is a sexual predator who subjected his victims to years of abuse that have had a lasting impact.

“He refused to admit guilt, forcing them to relive their trauma during the trial. He has shown no remorse for his actions.

“I would like to pay tribute to the victims for their bravery in coming forward, and their strength in supporting this investigation. I hope today’s result brings them some peace to be able to move forward with their lives.

“I would urge anyone who has been abused to please report it. We will always listen to you and take appropriate action, no matter how long ago the offences took place.”

Description

Today (Monday 27 July) at Winchester Crown Court a 66-year-old man has been found guilty of thirteen non-recent sex offences, which took place between 1994 and 1999 against three men and a child.

Allan Michael Grimson of Grove Road in Hollesley, Suffolk was served a postal requisition on Friday 7 February 2025 and his subsequent trial began on Monday 29 June 2026.

Grimson has been found guilty of:

• The indecent assault of a 19-year-old man in Tyne and Wear in 1994.
• Five indecent assaults of a 17-year-old boy in Portsmouth in 1999.
• The rape of an 18-year-old man in Portsmouth in 1999.
• Four indecent assaults of a 14-year-old boy in Portsmouth in 1999.
• One offence of taking indecent images of a child in Portsmouth in 1999.
• The indecent assault of a 19-year-old man in Portsmouth in 1999.
• The prosecution follows a detailed investigation undertaken by Hampshire & Isle of

Wight Constabulary into the offences that took place at locations including a flat on London Road in Portsmouth.

Grimson, a former Royal Navy petty officer who is already serving a life sentence after he was convicted in 2001 of two murders, has been remanded into custody to appear at the same court for sentencing on 6 November 2026.

From the CPS

A former Royal Navy petty officer already serving a life sentence for the murders of two young men has been convicted of a series of non-recent sexual offences.

Allan Grimson, 66, was found guilty by a jury at Winchester Crown Court of offences committed between 1994 and 1999 against a teenage boy and young Royal Navy recruits.

Grimson, who served as an instructor at the Royal Navy Firefighting School at Horsea Island, used his position to target and sexually abuse boys and young men over a number of years. Victims included a 14-year-old boy and young servicemen at the start of their naval careers.

The convictions follow a review of allegations dating back more than 20 years, including a case reconsidered following a referral to the Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel.

After reviewing the evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges against Grimson.

Grimson is already serving a life sentence for the murders of Royal Navy ratings Nicholas Wright and Sion Jenkins, whom he killed in 1997 and 1998 after meeting them in Portsmouth. They were both sexually assaulted before they were murdered.

James Foster, Specialist Prosecutor, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

"Today's verdicts are the result of the courage and determination shown by the victims, some of whom first reported what happened to them more than two decades ago.

“Non-recent sexual abuse cases can present significant evidential challenges, particularly where allegations relate to events many years in the past. However, the passage of time is not a barrier to justice where there is sufficient evidence to bring a prosecution.

"Following a referral to the Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel, we carried out a fresh review of one of the original decisions in this case and concluded that criminal charges should be brought.

"I would like to thank the victims for the bravery they have shown throughout this investigation and trial. We hope today's outcome provides some measure of justice and recognition of the abuse they suffered."

Description

A 65-year-old registered sex offender has been jailed for more than five years after he was found to be in possession of a significant number of indecent images and videos following an unannounced police visit to his home address.

Nicholas Raisen, of Aldringham, had been convicted in December 2017 of three counts of making indecent images of children. He was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for 24 months, and made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 10 years.

Following his conviction, Raisen was being managed by the Public Protection Unit (PPU) at Suffolk Constabulary.

On 8 October 2025, PPU officers made an unannounced visit to Raisen’s home and asked him to hand over his mobile phone for examination, as per the conditions of his SHPO. He initially claimed he didn’t know where his phone was, before it was retrieved from a drawer in the bathroom.

The phone was reviewed by an officer who is an accredited image grader and the device was seized for further analysis by the Digital Forensics Unit and a specialist officer in the Internet Child Sex Abuse Investigation Team.

The teams found a significant quantity of child sexual abuse material downloaded on the device, as well as evidence that Raisen had distributed 23 category A images/videos, two category B images/videos and one prohibited video.

Raisen was arrested at his home address on 23 October 2025. A search of his address was conducted, and a number of devices were located and seized for analysis with further child sexual abuse material found on them. There was also evidence of graphic sexualised chats using encrypted apps.

Drug paraphernalia, including 12 bottles of poppers and a small grip seal bag with a trace of powder, were also seized.

Raisen was taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning and was subsequently charged.

He initially denied the charges against him but later pleaded guilty to making indecent images and videos of children, distributing indecent images of children, possession of extreme pornographic images, possession of prohibited images, possession of a controlled class A drug, namely methamphetamine, as well as the supply of methamphetamine.

Raisen appeared at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday, Tuesday 14 July, where he was sentenced to five years and four months’ imprisonment.

He was made subject of a revised SHPO for 10 years and ordered to sign the sex offender’s register for life.

Public Protection Constable Claire Bodmer said:

“This was one of the worst cases of indecent image possession and distribution that we have seen in Suffolk PPU.

“Nicholas Raisen has demonstrated that he has a predatory sexual interest in the abuse of children and his sentence reflects the risk he poses to the public.

“Downloading indecent imagery of children is not a victimless crime and Suffolk Constabulary is committed to using every legal and investigative tool available to prevent further harm and protect vulnerable children. Those who engage with this kind of content will face the full force of the law.

“The prohibitions imposed through Raisen’s new Sexual Harm Prevention Order will allow the police to monitor his online behaviour for 10 years following his release from prison.”

Description

A 57-year-old man from Sudbury has been jailed for indecent exposure and two counts of sexual assault.

Steven Caine, of Hardy Court in Sudbury, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday 11 May, where he was sentenced to a total of 18 months’ imprisonment.

He had denied the charges but was found guilty by a jury, following a three-day trial.

The court heard that on 27 September 2025 Caine approached two teenage girls, who were unknown to him, in a residential area of Great Cornard.

He initially asked them for directions before making inappropriate comments, pulling his jogging bottoms down and exposing himself to them. He then kissed one of the girls, before touching the second girl’s breasts over clothing.

Following enquiries, Caine was arrested on 3 October at his home address and charged the following day.

The offences put him in breach of a suspended prison sentence imposed last year for threatening behaviour.

In addition to his sentence, Caine was also made subject of a sexual harm prevention order for ten years. 

DC Chloe Braybrook, who was the officer in charge of this case, said:

“Caine’s actions were not only concerning but predatory.

“I would like to commend the girls for their bravery in reporting the incident to police and would ask anyone who has encountered similar experiences to speak to the police.

“If you have been a victim of sexual offending in any form, please do report this to us. We take these incidents extremely seriously and will listen and support you.”

Description

A 75-year-old man has been sentenced after committing 21 indecent assaults on two girls more than twenty years ago.

Jeffrey Barrington, of Borley Crescent in Elmswell, pleaded guilty to the charges and appeared before Ipswich Crown Court on Friday 15 May for sentencing.

In respect of one victim Barrington was convicted of nine offences, receiving a sentence of seven years’ imprisonment for the lead offence (with concurrent prison terms for the remainder of the offences).

This sentence will run consecutively to the one handed down for his crimes committed against the second victim, for which he was given five years’ imprisonment for the lead offence (again with concurrent terms for the remainder of the offences).

In total, he was handed a custodial sentence of 12 years reduced to eight years’ imprisonment for his early guilty plea.

The cumulative total of the concurrent sentences he received was 43 years.  

Barrington was also handed an extended sentence of a further year on licence.

Extended sentences are handed to those who are convicted of serious violent or sexual offences, where an additional period of post-release supervision is required to protect the public.

DC Nick Parkinson-Hill, who was the officer in charge of the case, said:

“Jeffrey Barrington is a sexual predator who preyed on children and took advantage of situations to sexually abuse his victims. He has shown no remorse for his actions.

“I am grateful that he spared his victims further pain by admitting his crimes, rather than forcing them to relive their experiences during a trial.

“I would like to pay tribute to the victims for their courage in coming forward to ensure that Barrington is behind bars, where he belongs.

“This case demonstrates that the passage of time has not been a barrier to justice.”

Description

A 61-year-old man has been jailed after he was found guilty of non-recent sexual offences.

Enrico Gusman, formerly of Churchfield in Monks Eleigh, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday 8 May. He was sentenced to eight years and eight months’ imprisonment after a jury unanimously found him guilty of three offences of causing a girl to engage in a penetrative sexual activity.

The victim was 15 years’ old at the time, whilst Gusman was aged in his 50s.

In her victim personal statement, which was read out in court, the victim highlighted the impact of Gusman’s actions.

She said:

“I experience frequent panic attacks, as well as persistent and distressing flashbacks… I feel on edge most of the time. I feel like I am always in ‘fight or flight’ mode and struggle to feel safe… My sleep is severely affected… This has also affected my working life… My education was also directly impacted… I feel as though I lost my childhood.”

Gusman was made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and handed a restraining order, which lasts until further notice. He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offender’s Register.

DC Ellie Evans-Eastman, who was the officer in charge of the case, said:

“Reporting abuse of this nature takes a tremendous amount of courage, and I would like to commend the victim for coming forward. She has shown an enormous amount of strength throughout what has been a lengthy legal process.

“Offences of this nature can be complex for police to investigate, but this case demonstrates that justice can be achieved even years after an offence has been committed.

“Enrico Gusman is a sexual predator, who groomed a child for his own sexual gratification. The impact of this has been significant and long-lasting, and in the victim’s own words have taken away her childhood.

“I hope the outcome of this investigation gives confidence to those who have been abused and are suffering in silence that they are not alone, and that Suffolk police will do everything we can to hold those responsible to account.”

Description

A 40-year-old man formerly from Stanningfield has been jailed for sexual communication with a child.

Henry Hart denied two charges of engaging in sexual communication with a girl aged under 16, and one charge of inciting a girl under 16 to engage in sexual activity by penetration but was found guilty of all counts by a jury, following a six-day trial.

Hart appeared at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday 23 April where he was sentenced to five years and 10 months’ imprisonment.

He was also made subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), handed an indefinite restraining order and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

It was heard in court that Hart was known to the victim, who was 13 years’ old at the time, and that he used the social media platform Snapchat to send her messages of a sexual nature.

The matter came to light after a friend reported concerns for the victim to their family, who then informed police.

Detective Sergeant Scott Swallow, who was the officer in charge of the case, said:

“Hart is a predatory individual who groomed a young girl for his own sexual gratification.

“He denied any wrongdoing, claiming that he believed she was aged over 16, but provided no defence as to why he believed this other than that she looked and acted older; thereby forcing the victim to relive her experiences in court.

“The impact his actions have had on her and her family has been profound. I hope that in time they are able to move forward, knowing that Hart is in prison.

“We take reports of online offending very seriously and are committed to bringing to justice those who engage in these crimes.”

Description

A 29 year old man from Lowestoft has been jailed after committing a string of offences inciting children into sexual activity.

Owen Trevallion (pictured below) of Ailmar Close in the town was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday 23 April after he pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing and he was jailed for six years.

In January 2026 officers arrested Trevallion for breach of his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) that is in place until November 2030 and upon his arrest he produced two mobile phones. When one phone was analysed by officers they identified extensive messages to young female children, all of a sexual nature. He was posing as a female and asking the children for sexual or nude images. Indecent images of children were also found on his phone.

Further enquiries established two female children were the victims of Trevallion’s behaviour. Further examination of his phone established Trevallion had various applications on his phone that were in breach of his SHPO.

In total he pleaded guilty to two counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child, two counts of inciting two separate girls to engage in sexual activity, one count of threatening to share photographs or film of a person in an intimate state and four counts of breaching a SHPO.

Investigating officer DC Matt Fox said:

“This is a pleasing sentence for a man who pretended to be a teenage girl to target children via social media for his own devious sexual pleasure. I would encourage parents to routinely monitor their child’s access to social media and who they are communicating with online.”

Description

Our Child Abuse Investigation Team has seen a Suffolk man jailed for abusing two girls in Essex over 16 years.

Stephen Harper, 60, of Hill Rise in Stowmarket, was accused of assaulting two victims between 2008 and 2024 in the area of Stansted Mountfitchet.

Our officers have carried out an extensive, sensitive investigation since that abuse was reported to us in June 2024, working closely with the victims and their families to make sure they are supported and protected through this process.

Thanks to their statements and the case built by our investigators, the Crown Prosecution Service approved charges for Harper in September 2025.

He appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on 13 January 2026 and has since pleaded guilty to nine counts; five of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, and four of sexual assault.

He’s now been jailed for seven-and-a-half years, will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life, has been given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

'Nightmares about what he did'

In statements submitted to the court one victim said:

Since his arrest I have had nightmares about what he did to me.

Because I couldn’t cope with what happened to me and didn’t know how to process it I spiralled out of control.

I didn’t comprehend the damage I was doing to myself. I closed myself off emotionally and felt lost.

Despite this, she also said she hoped Harper received the mental health support he clearly needed.

'Incredible dignity throughout case'

Detective Siobhan Murphy said:

The two victims in this case have continued to carry themselves with incredible dignity throughout this case, and I’d like to thank them and their families for their support.

Both of them did something incredibly difficult by talking to us about what Harper had done, and with the work of the Child Abuse Investigation Team we have now seen a dangerous man put behind bars.

Description

A 52-year-old man from Halesworth has been jailed after being found guilty of non-recent sexual assault offences.

Johnathan Chapman, formerly of Johnathan Chapman, appeared before Ipswich Crown Court today (Friday 27 March) where he was sentenced to 34 months’ imprisonment.

He was found guilty by a jury of two counts of sexual assaults against two victims at an earlier hearing, following a six-day trial.

The offences took place on separate occasions when the victims, both female, were aged in their mid-late teens.

Chapman was also given a five-year restraining order against both victims and made subject of a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

DC Samuel Jones, who was the investigating officer for the case said:

“Chapman has proven himself a predator and a danger to women and girls.

“He has shown a callous disregard for his victims’ welfare, forcing them to relive their deeply traumatic experiences by denying any wrongdoing and refusing to accept responsibility for his actions.

“I would like to commend the victims for their bravery to report the crimes against them, and for their perseverance to seeing the case through to conclusion.

“Whilst nothing can undo the impact on their formative years, I hope today’s conviction offers them some comfort in knowing that Chapman is now being brought to justice.”

Description

A sex offender is back behind bars after police received reports he had accessed indecent images of children on his phone.

Benjamin Linard, 36, of Old Mill Terraces, Beccles, was sentenced to 28 months at Ipswich Crown Court on March 6 after pleading guilty to breaching his Sexual Harm Protection Order (SHPO) and three counts of making indecent images of children.

The former prisoner was convicted in 2017 for making and distributing indecent images of children, possessing prohibited images and extreme pornographic material involving animals. He was jailed for 20 months, placed on the Violent and Sex Offenders Register (ViSOR) for 10 years and given an indefinite SHPO. He had been managed by the Public Protection Unit since his release.

Linard was arrested on February 6, 2025, after officers seized his phone and found one Category A image, three Category B images and three Category C images, plus evidence of deleted internet searches for child abuse material. He was charged in October 2025.

Jenna Brock, an officer from the Public Protection Unit, said:

"Linard has demonstrated that he has a relentless sexual interest in children and cannot be trusted to behave lawfully.

"The prohibitions imposed through his new Sexual Harm Prevention Order will allow the police to monitor his online behaviour for the next 10 years following his release from prison, reducing the risk to the public.

"Suffolk Constabulary is committed to using every legal and investigative tool available to prevent further harm, protect vulnerable children, and bring offenders of criminality against children to justice."

Description

A 48-year-old man has been jailed after being found guilty of rape, attempted rape, assault by penetration and controlling and coercive behaviour.

Richard Hutchinson, from Bury St Edmunds, appeared at Huntingdon Crown Court yesterday, Thursday 12 March, where he was sentenced to a total of eight years’ imprisonment. He was also issued with a 10-year restraining order and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228.

The offences were committed against one woman.

In a victim impact statement read out in court, she said: “[He] took everything I used to be away from me… I felt that I didn’t even recognise myself in the mirror. I didn’t feel like I had a way out, every time I ended it, I felt trapped by all of it because he wouldn’t let me leave…He is Jekyll and Hyde on the surface but he comes across as a caring, funny guy but then changes to someone who is unpredictable and incredibly scary.”

PC Sarah Jamieson who was the officer in charge of the case said:

“Hutchinson is a dangerous individual, whose misogynistic attitude towards women was clear from the evidence given in court.

“He forced his victim to relive the trauma of her experiences by refusing to admit his guilt. I am thankful to the jury for seeing through his lies, and welcome the sentence given.

“I would also like to praise the victim for her strength in coming forward to report the crimes against her and for supporting the criminal justice process. I hope she is able to move forward and heal now that he has been convicted for his crimes.

“I would like to ask for anyone else suffering from similar to come forward. We have specially trained officers who will listen to you and support you with sensitivity and compassion.”

Description

A man from Felixstowe has been jailed after committing a string of sex offences.

James Hawker, 45, of Cornwall Road, was sentenced to 28 years in jail, and a further six years on extended licence, at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday 12 December after being found guilty of 11 counts of sexual assault, four counts of rape, four counts of assault by penetration and one offence of attempted rape.

Hawker, at an earlier hearing, pleaded guilty to six counts of making indecent photographs of children and one count of voyeurism.

The offences all took place between August 2008 and December 2020. The three-week trial heard he made more than 210,000 indecent images of children.

The offences first came to light in February 2021 when the first victim reported it to police. Following his initial arrest on 1 February he was arrested again on 7 October 2021 and was subsequently charged in October 2023.

Detective Sergeant Jennifer Botting, the investigating officer, said:

“This was a horrific series of crimes committed by Hawker over a 13-year period, so to see him convicted for his reprehensible deeds is extremely satisfying. This was a highly complex and lengthy investigation bearing in mind the duration the offences took place and the number of victims that Hawker abused. I would like to pay tribute to the four victims and their parents for their bravery in reporting and giving evidence at trial. This by no means was easy for them to do and they will no doubt be carrying this appalling experience with them for the rest of their lives.

“I only hope that this conviction will bring some measure of justice and reassurance – not only to the victims in this case but to others who may be suffering in silence.

“Suffolk Constabulary remains committed to fully investigating any allegation of sexual abuse and providing the highest level of support and care to any victim while a thorough investigation is carried out. I hope this result will also encourage those victims who may be currently suffering in the same way to come forward report the crime to us.”