Paedophile Shoebury jailed for sexually abusing young girls

Charles Brown, of Hogarth Drive, Shoebury, was sentenced after being found guilty of abuse 58 years ago.

The 76-year-old appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Friday, where he was convicted of indecently abusing three young girls.

The verdict concludes a five-year investigation by Essex Police’s Quest team. The team investigates reports of sexual offences where the victim was a child at the time of the offence but is now an adult.

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Sergeant Rachel Mitchell, an officer in charge of the case, said: “We received a report in 2019 that Charles Brown had attacked young girls on several occasions between 1966 and 1994.

“In all Quest investigations, the first thing our investigators do is obtain a report from the victim.

“We know that it is traumatic for people to re-examine events that they may have repressed for years and not told anyone about.

“However, since forensic evidence is often lacking, this victim report is crucial and forms the basis for our further investigations.”

After these victim statements were taken, Brown was arrested at his home address in Shoeburyness. While in custody, he refused to answer any questions.

Detectives worked with prosecutors to charge Brown with eight counts of sexual assault of a girl under the age of 16.

After a week-long trial at Basildon Crown Court, Brown was found guilty of five counts on 14 November 2023. The jury acquitted him on three counts.

Sergeant Rachel Mitchell added: “Brown’s conviction was a direct result of the courage of the survivors who behaved with patience and dignity throughout what was a truly difficult and lengthy investigation.

“From the moment of reporting, survivors received support from Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) in their region. ISVAs were able to provide emotional support and counselling to victims.”

Brown was sentenced to 31 months and three weeks in prison on Friday, May 24. He will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Essex Police’s Quest Team investigates cases where the victim was a child at the time of the abuse but is now an adult.

There is support for all affected by rape and sexual abuse, and no victim or survivor is alone.

Visit https://synergyessex.org.uk/