Steven Oxborrow 35

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A SEX offender has been jailed for more than 13 years for crimes in the New Forest including the rape of a child under 13.

Steven Oxborrow (33), of Wilverley Road in Wootton, near New Milton, had been a "liked and trusted" local childrens martial arts instructor and entertainer.

But on multiple occasions over seven years, between January 2005 and June 2012, he abused three youngsters in the Wootton and New Milton area.

As reported in the A&T, he was convicted by a Southampton Crown Court jury in April of one count of rape of a child under 13 and five counts of sexual activity with a child under 13.

He was also found guilty of three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, two counts of making indecent photographs of a child, and one count of possession of an indecent image of a child.

Yesterday (Thursday) he was sentenced by a judge at the same court to 13-and-a-half years behind bars, plus a further year on licence.

He was also made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, with all three victims being granted restraining orders against Oxborrow for life, ensuring that he cannot contact them.

He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

DC Donna Kay from Hampshire Constabularys Amberstone Unit, said: Firstly, I would like to commend the bravery and courage of the three victims in reporting the abuse in the first instance, with each one showing maturity beyond their years and playing a vital role in securing justice.

They were just children when Steven Oxborrow decided to take away their innocence with the victims fearful at the time of abuse of getting themselves, and a man that they liked and trusted, into trouble.

Oxborrow demonstrated that he was a very dangerous human being in grooming his victims and their parents into a false sense of security as a supposed respected person within the community who would not cause anyone any harm.

As we now know, this cant be further from the truth. We hope that todays sentencing can provide the victims with a sense of closure and comfort that he can no longer harm them."

Oxborrow's offending was uncovered when one of the victims came forward when they were 12 years old, after a concerned parent found inappropriate messages between the pair on a family computer.

Officers uncovered a further victim of Oxborrow and later found indecent images of children on his computer.

The trial jury also heard how a third victim reported being sexually abused by him when taking part in martial art classes.

DC Kay added: We want to show you that no matter the circumstances, Hampshire Constabulary are committed to supporting survivors of rape and sexual assault and we will do everything we can to identify offenders and put them in front of a court.

If youve been a victim, please report rape or sexual assault as soon as possible. Even if youre not 100 per cent sure, wed sooner hear from you so that we can make sure youre safe.

Operation Amberstone was set up in 2016 by Hampshire Constabulary as a dedicated team investigating serious sexual assaults and rape, including specially trained officers assigned to support victims.

A Hampshire police spokesperson said: "If youre not ready to talk to the police just yet, thats okay.

"You can speak to a number of organisations in confidence and what you tell them won't be shared with the police unless you ask for it to be."

For more information please visit www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/support-for-victims-of-rape-and-sexual-assault/

The outcome prompted a statement by the NSPCC, which said: The abuse experienced by Oxborrows victims will have had a profound impact upon their lives, and we hope they are now receiving the support they need to find some peace following the ordeals they were put through.

It is never too late to report child abuse. If you've experienced abuse, recently or in the past, or you're worried about someone who has, you can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or [email protected].

"The NSPCC Helpline is staffed by trained professionals who can provide expert advice and support. Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or via Childline.org.uk.