Shaun Anthony Hewer

A 65-year-old man from Gosport has been jailed for nine years following his conviction on historical child sex offences spanning four decades. Shaun Anthony Hewer, residing on Bury Road, was found guilty of five counts of indecent assault against a girl aged under 14 years old. The offences occurred at an address in Gosport between 1978 and 1989, when the victim was between four and 16 years old.

The case came to light through the bravery of the victim, who reported the abuse to authorities. Hampshire Constabulary's specialist Fareham & Gosport District Investigations Team, led by Police Staff Investigator Nikki Ginn, conducted a thorough investigation into these historical allegations. Hewer appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on 5 December 2023, where he was formally sentenced to a total of nine years' imprisonment. Under the terms of the sentence, he must serve at least two-thirds of his term before being eligible for parole, meaning he is not expected to be released until late 2029. Additionally, he will be subject to 12 months on licence following his release.

The court heard details of the multiple assaults, which took place over a period of more than a decade. Hampshire Constabulary announced the sentencing on 11 December 2023, emphasising the importance of reporting such crimes no matter how much time has passed. Investigator Nikki Ginn praised the victim's courage, stating in an official release: 'The bravery shown by the victim in coming forward has been instrumental in securing this conviction and bringing justice after so many years.'

This case highlights the ongoing work of Hampshire Constabulary in addressing historical sexual abuse, with the force committing resources to specialist teams to support victims and pursue perpetrators. The sentencing provides closure for the victim and serves as a reminder of the long arm of the law in tackling child sex offences.