Zackery Stephen Bell

A Portsmouth man, Zackery Stephen Bell, has been sentenced to six years in prison for committing sexual offences against two women in Hampshire and West Sussex. The incidents, which involved sexual assault, occurred in December 2020 and were investigated by Hampshire Constabulary and West Sussex Police.

The first assault took place on 6 December 2020 in Waterlooville. Bell, aged 28 and residing in South Avenue, Portsmouth, responded to an advert on Facebook Marketplace and visited the victim's address. The victim, a woman in her 20s at the time, invited him inside. Once there, Bell forcibly kissed her and touched her inappropriately over her clothing. He was disturbed and fled the scene but later sent her a message via Facebook asking to meet again. The victim reported the incident to police the following day, leading to Bell's arrest and charge of sexual assault.

While on bail for the Waterlooville offence, Bell committed a second assault on 26 December 2020 in Chichester, West Sussex. He was staying at the home of a woman known to him, supposedly on the sofa for the night. In the early hours of Boxing Day morning, Bell entered the victim's bedroom while she was asleep and sexually assaulted her. The victim awoke, shouted at him to leave, and he complied. This incident was also reported, contributing to the charges against him.

Bell appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on 23 June 2022, having previously pleaded guilty to sexual assault. The court imposed a total sentence of six years' imprisonment: four years for the Sussex offence and two years for the Hampshire offence. Additionally, he received a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years, a lifetime Restraining Order protecting both victims, and must register as a sex offender for life.

Detective Constable Keeka Crewe-Way of Hampshire Constabulary’s Eastern Criminal Investigation Department commended the victims' courage, stating: “These were understandably extremely traumatic ordeals for the women involved and I cannot commend them enough for their bravery in coming forward.” Detective Constable Jason Berney of the West Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit added: “It took the victim a great deal of courage to come forward... she did this and he was successfully convicted which is great testament to her resolution.” The case highlights the risks associated with online interactions, particularly through marketplaces like Facebook.