John Robert West

A man from Worthing has been imprisoned for historical child sex offences committed nearly two decades ago in Waterlooville, Hampshire. John Robert West, aged 42, of Shetland Court, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on 12 December 2022, where he was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison following a jury's guilty verdict on two child sex charges.

The offences occurred in 2005, when West sexually assaulted a girl who was just 13 years old. The victim initially reported the assault to police in the same year but withdrew her allegation due to fear of the court process. It was not until 2019, as an adult, that she came forward again, prompting Hampshire Constabulary to launch a thorough investigation. West was interviewed by officers and subsequently charged with one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

West pleaded not guilty to the charges, leading to a trial in August 2022. The jury convicted him on both counts after considering the evidence. During sentencing, His Honour Judge Shepherd highlighted West's lack of apology, remorse, or regret towards his victim, underscoring the severity of the betrayal of trust involved.

Detective Sergeant Lucy Gransden, from Hampshire Constabulary’s Child Abuse Investigation Team, described West’s actions as 'utterly appalling', noting how he abused the trust of his young victim in the most abhorrent way and forced her to endure a trial by refusing to admit his guilt. Detective Constable Charles Cox, who assisted in the investigation, praised the victim's bravery in reporting the incident as an adult and emphasised the force's commitment to pursuing justice for historical cases, stating that no matter when an incident occurred, victims would be listened to and investigations conducted thoroughly.

The case was handled by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, with the sentencing reflecting the court's recognition of the long-term impact of such offences on survivors.