A detective commended the victims’ bravery following the sentencing of a sexual predator, the HMP Lincoln Paedophile, Jason Pettifer, to 18 years in prison.
Jason Pettifer, 38, used single women with young children, targeting and grooming them to fulfil his sexual urges.
Jason Pettifer intentionally positioned himself in trusted roles, integrating into family residences and adopting the responsibilities of a step-parent. He exploited these circumstances to obtain access to youngsters and perpetrate sexual offences.
Detective Constable Lauren Speight from the Child Abuse Investigation Unit commended the girls and their families for their resilience and collaboration with law enforcement. They have demonstrated exceptional bravery and fortitude in articulating their experiences in detail.
In February 2022, the police received a report from two girls who had been sexually assaulted by Jason Pettifer from 2017 to 2020. At the time of the offence, one victim was eight years old and the other was ten.
They revealed that both had been assaulted, however neither was aware they had been simultaneously targeted by Jason Pettifer until one informed a family member.
After a trial at Leicester Crown Court in April, Jason Pettifer, from HMP Lincoln, was convicted of three counts of sexual assault involving the penetration of a child under 13 and one crime of forcing or persuading a child under 13 to participate in sexual conduct.
On Tuesday, June 3, he received an 18-year prison sentence. He was also granted a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and a restraining order, both effective for a duration of 10 years.
Jason Pettifer received a 16-month prison sentence for a similar, unrelated crime in Derbyshire from 2024. He admitted guilt at a hearing last year over sexual crimes. This sentence will be served consecutively.
DC Speight added: “Jason Pettifer is a dangerous individual who posed a significant risk of harm to children. Pettifer has now been sentenced and is behind bars, no longer able to harm others.
“His actions demonstrated a clear pattern of predatory behaviour, and the risk he posed to vulnerable families cannot be overstated.
“I hope that this outcome brings the victims some measure of closure and helps them begin to move forward in their lives.
“We are deeply grateful for their trust in us. It is because of their strength and willingness to come forward that Pettifer is now behind bars and no longer able to harm others.
“If anyone believes they may have been victim of Jason Pettifer’s crimes we would urge them to come forward. We know it’s not always easy reporting what’s happened to you, but we have specialist officers who can help you through the process and also put you in touch with other support agencies.”
Contact 101 or report via www.leics.police.uk
Further information can also be found here: https://www.leics.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/caa/child-abuse/
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.