Kenneth Geoffrey Sweeting

A 54-year-old man, Kenneth Geoffrey Sweeting, formerly of Moorends, has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for committing serious sexual offences against a young girl in the Doncaster area. The case, which came to light following a brave report from the victim in 2015, highlights the devastating impact of child sexual abuse and the importance of coming forward.

Sweeting appeared before Sheffield Crown Court on 27 November 2017, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault of a girl under 13 years old and one count of causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity. These pleas were entered at an earlier hearing, demonstrating his acceptance of responsibility for the crimes. The offences took place between 2009 and 2011, during which time Sweeting abused his victim, whose identity is protected by law.

The investigation was led by PC Adam Frost from Doncaster’s Child Abuse team. In a statement following the sentencing, PC Frost said: “Our investigation into Sweeting’s horrific crimes began in 2015, when his victim bravely came forward to report the abuse. He has accepted responsibility for his unacceptable and despicable actions before the court and is now behind bars. I hope this conviction, along with the knowledge that her abuser is now in prison, offers the victim the strength to move forward in her life and recover from this awful abuse.” This quote underscores the police's commitment to supporting victims and pursuing justice in such sensitive cases.

In addition to his custodial sentence, Sweeting has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring to protect the public. The case was reported by the Thorne Times on 29 November 2017, drawing attention to the prevalence of child sexual exploitation in local communities and the role of law enforcement in addressing it.