Ipswich man given suspended sentence for sexual assault on woman with Alzheimer's
A 63-year-old Ipswich man has been handed an eight-month suspended prison sentence after sexually assaulting a vulnerable woman with Alzheimer's who had asked him for a lift home.
Why it matters: Adrian Long, of Bruff Road, was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, 24 April, after pleading guilty to sexual activity with a vulnerable woman, with police saying the victim has suffered a "rapid deterioration" in health since the incident.
The details: Long's eight-month prison sentence was suspended for 20 months. He must also:
- Comply with a 40-day rehabilitation programme
- Carry out 100 days of unpaid work
- Sign the sex offenders register for 10 years
What happened: Police were called on 27 March 2025 after a family member saw Long entering the victim's address via personal video footage.
Officers established that Long had met the victim earlier that day after she waved him down outside a shop and asked for a lift home. She was unable to recall her address, so Long looked through her cards and drove her home, where he then sexually assaulted her.
What they're saying: DC Charlotte Bourne, from the Safeguarding and Investigations Unit at Suffolk Constabulary, said: "Long took advantage of a vulnerable woman for his own sexual gratification.
"Despite her being unable to recall her address, he claimed he was unaware that she was lacking capacity to consent.
"The impact of his actions has been profound on the victim, who has Alzheimer's and who has suffered rapid deterioration in health since the incident. It has also had a significant effect on her family."
The bottom line: Long will not serve time in prison provided he complies with the conditions of his suspended sentence, but will remain on the sex offenders register for the next decade.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of a sexual offence, call Suffolk police on 999 in an emergency, or report online via the Suffolk Constabulary website.
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