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Havant Woman Jailed For 20 Years For Historic Child Abuse Offences

A woman from Havant who abused seven children in Sussex between 26 and 33 years ago, has been jailed for 20 years.

Sally Ann Dixon, 58, of Swanmore Avenue, Havant, Hants, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court  on September 8th, after being convicted of 30 indecent assaults against her victims.

Dixon was born John Stephen Dixon in 1963 and carried out her crimes while living as a man in the late 80s and 90s. He began transitioning to be a woman in 2004.

Dixon was given an 18-year custodial sentence in a women's prison (HMP Bronzefield), despite not being legally recognised as a woman, with an additional two years to be served on extended licence.

A Judge ordered at least two thirds of this sentence must be served in custody.

Dixon will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order indefinitely.

The five girls and two boys, who were aged between six and 15 in the seven-year period from 1989 to 1996, were abused at locations in Crawley, Bexhill and Icklesham.

Dixon was also found not guilty of four indecent assaults.

Detective Constable Amy Pooley of the Sussex Police Complex Abuse Unit said:

"Dixon came to know these vulnerable young children successively through family connections, and used that trusted access to systematically abuse each of them for sexual gratification, in some cases for several months at a time.

"Only when one of the victims eventually came to us in 2019 was the terrible and distressing nature of Dixon's offending over many years finally uncovered. As one victim escaped this predatory interest, another would take their place, but sometimes some victims would be offended against simultaneously.

"This case shows again that we will always follow up such reports, no matter how long ago the events are said to have happened, to support victims and to see if we can achieve justice for them wherever the evidence justifies that."

For further information on child sexual offences and how to report them, see the Sussex Police website at https://www.sussex.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/caa/child-abuse/what-is-child-abuse/

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