Man Jailed For Historic Sexual Offences Against Child In Eastbourne

A man in his 70s has been jailed for a year and ten months for abusing a young girl in Eastbourne in the early 1990s.

Police said John Lockyer, 76, of Bolton Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, was sentenced at Hove Crown Court on Tuesday 29 September, having been convicted the previous day on two counts of indecently assaulting the girl.

One of the counts related to his offending on 20 occasions.

According to officers, he will be a registered sex offender for 10 years and was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) severely restricting his access to girls under 17 until further court order.

Lockyer was cleared on nine other counts of indecently assaulting the girl, and two offences of gross indecency against a boy.

Pauline Harrop, 77, of Seaside, Eastbourne, was cleared of two counts of gross indecency against the same boy.

DC Jo Barber said: 

"He took advantage of the young girl for his own sexual gratification for some time, causing psychological trauma and damage which lasts to this day.

"Only when the she felt strong enough to come forward and disclose the full details in 2017 did our detailed investigation uncover what had happened.

"We very much admire her courage and resolution in coming forward and supporting the investigation.

"This is another example of the way in which we will always investigate such reports, no matter how long ago the events were said to have been and will seek to support victims and help them secure justice wherever possible."

The victim, who was a teenage girl at the time and is now in her forties, said:

"Reporting this crime has finally brought about closure for me after a long road to recovery and healing.

"I now have a future to look forward to without this hanging over me or holding me back anymore.

"I can only say the biggest thank you to Sussex Police, and to DC Jo Barber in particular, for supporting me through this process so well and for making me feel looked after at every stage.

"I have met some amazing people who have all helped me on my way forwards and who I will never forget.

"Although this has been an extremely tough and long process I don't regret making the decision to come forward and report for a moment."