Locations
Churchfield, Monks Eleigh, IP7
Description
A 61-year-old man has been jailed after he was found guilty of non-recent sexual offences.
Enrico Gusman, formerly of Churchfield in Monks Eleigh, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday 8 May. He was sentenced to eight years and eight months’ imprisonment after a jury unanimously found him guilty of three offences of causing a girl to engage in a penetrative sexual activity.
The victim was 15 years’ old at the time, whilst Gusman was aged in his 50s.
In her victim personal statement, which was read out in court, the victim highlighted the impact of Gusman’s actions.
She said:
“I experience frequent panic attacks, as well as persistent and distressing flashbacks… I feel on edge most of the time. I feel like I am always in ‘fight or flight’ mode and struggle to feel safe… My sleep is severely affected… This has also affected my working life… My education was also directly impacted… I feel as though I lost my childhood.”
Gusman was made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and handed a restraining order, which lasts until further notice. He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offender’s Register.
DC Ellie Evans-Eastman, who was the officer in charge of the case, said:
“Reporting abuse of this nature takes a tremendous amount of courage, and I would like to commend the victim for coming forward. She has shown an enormous amount of strength throughout what has been a lengthy legal process.
“Offences of this nature can be complex for police to investigate, but this case demonstrates that justice can be achieved even years after an offence has been committed.
“Enrico Gusman is a sexual predator, who groomed a child for his own sexual gratification. The impact of this has been significant and long-lasting, and in the victim’s own words have taken away her childhood.
“I hope the outcome of this investigation gives confidence to those who have been abused and are suffering in silence that they are not alone, and that Suffolk police will do everything we can to hold those responsible to account.”