Rudgwick Man Jailed For Historic Child Sexual Abuse Offences

An 80-year-old man from Rudgwick has been jailed for 18 years for a series of child sexual abuse offences committed more than four decades ago.

Richard Beacher, of Cox Green, admitted nine offences committed between 1978 and 1986 against a young girl aged between three and eight at the time.

Beacher was sentenced at Hove Crown Court on 8 June. His sentence was reduced from 24 years to 18 years after he pleaded guilty.

The victim reported the abuse to Sussex Police in 2021, prompting an investigation by specialist officers.

Following the sentencing, Criminal Investigator Sophie Williams described the case as "shocking and deeply disturbing", praising the victim and witnesses for their courage in coming forward.

She said their evidence had been crucial in securing justice and added that the case demonstrated offenders can still be brought to justice decades after their crimes were committed.

Sussex Police is encouraging anyone affected by sexual offences, regardless of when they happened, to come forward and report them.