Bexhill Man Jailed For Multiple Sex Offences Against A Young Girl

A man from Bexhill has received a 19-year sentence for repeatedly sexually abusing a young girl over the period of several years.

Brian Matthews, 63, of London Road in Bexhill, first started sexually assaulting his victim when she was nine years old and continued to abuse her until her late teens.

As well as sexual abuse and rape, he also subjected his victim to emotional and psychological abuse in order to control her and normalise his behaviour.

After the abuse was reported to police, an investigation was launched and Matthews was arrested and charged with:

4 x Assault on a girl under 13 by touching

4 x Assault on a female over 13 with penetration

Rape of a girl aged 13 to 15

2 x Rape of a female aged 16 or over

2 x Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child

3 x Sexual assault on a female

Cruelty to a person under 16

Engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour

Matthews denied all charges, but was found guilty by a jury on all counts except one charge of rape of a female aged over 16, and the Judge discharged the jury from reaching a verdict on the charge of engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour.

At Lewes Crown Court on April 28, Matthews was sentenced to 19 years in jail, including one year on extended licence.

He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) forbidding any contact with the victim or any child under 18 without consent of a parent/guardian and social services, or if inadvertent and not reasonably avoidable.

He is also prohibited from possessing any device capable of storing or accessing digital images, unless access is provided for inspection by a police officer or police employee.

Detective Liz Brunt said:

“Brian Matthews’ depraved, horrific abuse robbed his young victim of her childhood and she will have to live with the effects for the rest of her life.

“I would like to thank her for the incredible bravery she has shown not only in reporting these crimes initially, but in supporting our investigation and helping to put a dangerous predator behind bars.

“Without her courage and determination, this simply would not have been possible.

“Hopefully this sentence will offer some measure of comfort to her and stop Matthews from causing further harm to young people.”

For information on reporting sexual offences and the support that is available, see the Sussex Police website.