Locations
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP3
Description
A 51-year-old man has been jailed after being found guilty of multiple child sex offences against two victims.
John Fordham, of no fixed abode but from Bury St Edmunds, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, 16 October, where he was handed an extended licence totalling 26 years, made up of 19 years’ imprisonment and seven years on licence.
Extended sentences are handed to those who are convicted of serious violent or sexual offences, where an additional period of post-release supervision is required to protect the public.
Fordham had denied the charges against him but was found guilty by a jury following an eight-day trial of the following:
- Four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 years
- Three counts of rape
- Three counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
- Two counts of sexual activity with a child
The offences involved two victims – two girls.
The court heard that Fordham repeatedly sought opportunities to isolate his victims to sexually assault them and that the abuse was carried out separately to each other.
In addition to his sentence, Fordham was made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention order and lifetime restraining orders in respect of his victims. He will also be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.
PC Karen Hammond, who was the officer in charge of the case, said:
“John Fordham has taken no responsibility for his actions or shown any remorse. He is a dangerous sexual predator who manipulated and abused his victims, causing profound and lasting harm.
“The victims had their childhood stripped from them and while no sentence can undo the trauma they have endured, I hope this sentencing result provides them with a sense of justice and helps them to move forward with their lives.
“I would like to pay tribute to the immense bravery shown by the victims throughout the investigation and court proceedings. It is because of their courage that Fordham has been brought to justice and will now spend a significant amount of time behind bars.
“I would urge anyone who has experienced sexual abuse to please report it. We will always listen to you and take appropriate action, no matter how long ago the offence took place.”