Friday 10th May 2024

Sussex Alerts - Lewes and Seahaven Police

Man charged following sexual assault in Newhaven

Police have charged a man with the rape and sexual assault of a teenage girl in Newhaven.

On Saturday, 4 May, police received a report that a girl under the age of 16 had been raped in Denton Woods after exchanging messages with a man on social media.

The attack was reported to have taken place at around 7.30am on Friday, 3 May.

She was supported by specialist officers while an investigation was launched.

A 29yo male from Bishopstone, was swiftly identified as a suspect and arrested on Saturday evening, where he was subsequently charged with rape and sexual assault and remanded in custody.

He will next appear at Lewes Crown Court on 3 June.

Detective Sergeant Nick Green said: “The young victim in this investigation has shown exceptional bravery to come forward and report this distressing incident.

“She will continue to receive the full support of specialist officers while the investigation continues.

“We are asking anyone who has any information that could help to contact Sussex Police online or via 101, quoting Operation Atworth.”

Motorcycle rider sentenced over collision near Lewes

A motorcycle rider who collided with pedestrians while the road was closed to motor traffic has been sentenced after he rode at excess speed while road closures were in place for the Barcombe fireworks display.

He struck a group of pedestrians, causing them serious injuries.

Now aged 19, he appeared before Lewes Crown Court on April 22 where he admitted causing serious injuries by dangerous driving.

Dangerous driving and driving at excess speed are some of the main factors in why people are killed or seriously injured on our roads.

The 19yo male of Barcombe, was sentenced to 21 months detention in a young offenders’ institution, and was also disqualified from driving or riding for two years and ten months.

The court heard how the incident happened at 10.20pm on November 19, 2022 in the High Street in the village.

Road closures were in place for the annual bonfire celebrations, which he had himself attended.

He rode at an estimated 40mph in the road closure, when the usual speed limit is 30mph when the road is open.

Investigating officer Tudor Wells from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “This collision left one woman unconscious with serious, life-changing injuries.

“Another woman also had to be taken to hospital, and three other people sustained minor injuries.

“It should have been obvious to the rider that road closures were in place and he should not have been riding. He posed a danger to many people walking home in the village from bonfire night.

“It demonstrates the dangers of motorists travelling at excess speed, and he was lucky not to have caused even more serious harm or a fatality.”

New scheme to identify and safeguard children launched in East Sussex

A pilot scheme has launched in East Sussex to identify and safeguard children at risk of exploitation.

In partnership with East Sussex County Council’s Children’s Services, Discovery Child aims to reduce the risk of harm to child victims of exploitation and children on the periphery of exploitation through early identification, accurate recording, and rapid intervention.

Officially launched back on the 22 April, the specially-trained Sussex Police officers work closely with surrounding teams and partners such as the local council, children, education, and health services.

Exploitation is a form of modern slavery in which victims are regarded as commodity for financial gain. They are exploited, controlled, or held captive, and threatened or punished to stop them escaping or reporting the crime.

Child criminal exploitation is when someone uses a child (under 18 years old) to commit crimes for them. It could include things like forcing a child to work on a cannabis farm, or targeting and grooming a child to sell drugs in a county line operation.

Child sexual exploitation involves situations or relationships in which a person under 18 is given something, for example food, drugs, gifts, or money, in exchange for performing sexual activities or having sexual activities performed on them. It can also involve violence, coercion, and intimidation, with threats of physical harm or humiliation.

Detective Inspector Nicklin, of the Discovery Child team said: “Child exploitation is often linked to county lines drug supply, anti-social behaviour, and acquisitive crime such as burglary, and can have devastating effects on victims, families, and surrounding communities.

“Tackling child exploitation is a key focus for police and it is our responsibility to be vigilant and respond quickly to safeguard potential victims of exploitation and bring those responsible to justice.”

The initiative follows research into the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) by the Home Office, showing that UK national children are now the fastest growing group in the NRM, in part driven by county lines activity.

The NRM is a framework for identifying and referring potential victims of modern slavery and ensuring they receive the appropriate support. Each case is discussed at a multi-agency panel involving professionals who know the child and their family. The outcome of the NRM referral can provide the individual with a legal defence if it is decided that they committed crimes as a consequence of exploitation.

Nicola Maxwell from Children’s Services said ‘this is an exciting development and will allow us to build on the excellent work that is currently being undertaken across East Sussex to safeguard children at risk of exploitation. It will also support the swift disruption of those adults who seek to exploit children, ensuring that they are dealt with through the criminal justice system.’

The scheme has been funded for an initial six months, when a review into its efficiency and outcomes will be conducted with a view to extension.

Report any concerns online or via 101 and always call 999 in an emergency.

To report a crime anonymously, speak to Crimestoppers online or via 0800 555 111.

Click, Call, Connect

For non-emergency incidents or crime prevention advice, click www.sussex.police.uk,  (If you report a crime online, we will assess it in the same way as a 101 call).

Call 101 when you don’t require an urgent response. 

In an emergency when life is threatened or there is immediate danger always call 999.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired, you can contact us using TypeTalk on 18000 or by sending a text to 65999.