Stephen Martin Tracey

A man from Rugby in Warwickshire has been sentenced to eight years in prison for historical child sex offences committed in Waterlooville over three decades ago. Stephen Martin Tracey, aged 65, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday, 17 May 2024, where he received his custodial sentence following a conviction earlier in the year.

The offences, which took place between January 1987 and February 1994, involved Tracey repeatedly sexually assaulting a girl who was aged between 9 and 15 at the time. He was charged with three counts of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child. The abuse occurred at multiple addresses in Waterlooville, Hampshire.

Tracey first came to the attention of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary in 2022 when the victim bravely came forward to report the sexual abuse she had endured as a child. This led to an investigation by the force's Operation Amberstone team, culminating in a four-day trial at Portsmouth Crown Court. On Thursday, 28 March 2024, Tracey was found guilty on all counts after the jury deliberated on the evidence presented.

During the sentencing hearing, the judge categorised the offences as falling into the highest level of seriousness for sexual crimes. He described Tracey as an offender of particular concern due to the nature of his actions and noted the severe psychological harm inflicted on the victim. 'The offences fell into the highest category of seriousness of sexual offences,' the judge stated, emphasising the long-lasting impact on the survivor's life.

The case was investigated by Detective Sergeant Samantha Brown from the Operation Amberstone team, who commended the victim's courage in reporting the crimes after so many years. The conviction underscores the police force's commitment to pursuing non-recent child sex offences, no matter how much time has passed since the incidents occurred. Source: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary official news release, published 20 May 2024.