Horsham pensioner, 89, convicted of 17 child sex abuse charges spanning 34 years

Alan Ashton of Horsham found guilty of 17 charges involving four children at Lewes Crown Court. Offences spanned from 1976 to 2010.

Horsham man guilty of decades-long campaign of child sexual abuse

An 89-year-old man from Horsham has been convicted of 17 charges of child sexual abuse committed over more than three decades, theargus.co.uk reports.

Alan Ashton, of Rusper Road, Horsham, was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court on Friday, 25 September. His offences spanned from 1976 to 2010, targeting four children who were known to him personally.

The case came to light after one of the victims, now an adult, reported the abuse to Sussex Police.

Jurors convicted Ashton of two charges of indecent assault, one count of attempted indecent assault, and one charge of assault by penetration. He was also found guilty of three counts of indecent assault of a child aged between seven and nine, one charge of indecency with a child aged 14, and one charge of indecency with a child aged four to six.

The guilty verdicts further covered indecent assault of a child aged four to six, five charges of sexual assault of a child under 13, and two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity.

Ashton was cleared of three charges of indecent assault, one count of assault of a child under 13 by penetration, and one count of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity.

Detective Constable Kirstie Prentice commended the victims following the verdict. "We commend the bravery of all of Ashton's victims in coming forward and ensuring justice is done," she said. "No matter how long ago offences took place, rest assured we will always work hard to ensure the perpetrator is brought to account."

Prentice added that Ashton would most likely spend the remainder of his life in custody, which she said she hoped would offer "some comfort to the victims he abused across three decades."

She also urged anyone who has experienced similar abuse to come forward: "If you have experienced this sort of crime, no matter how long ago, please report to us and be confident we will listen and support you."

Following the verdicts, the judge remanded Ashton in custody. He is scheduled to be sentenced on 26 November.

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)