Five years of sexual abuse of a girl under thirteen by a child rapist has resulted in jail for Eastbourne Paedophile John Gibbs.
Before “systemically sexually abusing her,” John Gibbs won the teenage’s confidence.
The fifty-year-old was convicted at Lewes Crown Court of two counts of rape and three counts of sexual abuse of the minor.
The former cleaner received a fourteen-year jail sentence.
Sussex Police Detective Constable Hugh Charles said: “Gibbs came to know the girl, and over some time, he ingratiated himself with her and initially gained her confidence before systematically sexually abusing her, solely for his pleasure.”
“Only when she eventually felt able to tell family members what had happened was this reported to us, and action was taken immediately, resulting in Gibbs’ arrest and three years later in his subsequent prosecution.”
Given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, John Gibbs of Shanklin Close, Eastbourne, will also be a registered sex offender for a lifetime.
The order forbids him from any communication with his victim or her family, as well as from residing in any place where children under sixteen live until a later court ruling.
“This result was all my daughter wanted, for him to know he’d done wrong,” the victim’s mother said upon learning the sentencing.
She’s gone to the stores to buy sweets for the first time in three years without looking over her shoulder; I hope sooner rather than later, we will be able to see a smile once more.
“I also want to thank the police and the support services at Survivor Network for all their hard work and support they have given me and my daughter.”
Det Con Charles said, “I also want to thank my colleagues, Detective Constables Steve Wormley, Lisa Wells and Laura Powell, for all their work to bring Gibbs to justice.
“This was a team effort on behalf of the victim.”
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