Man, 80, likely to die in jail for child sex offences in Ipswich
An 80-year-old Ipswich man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of rape and sexual assaults against children dating back to the 1970s.
The big picture: Charles Eaton of Gannet Road was found guilty during an eight-day trial at Ipswich Crown Court in October, with sentencing taking place on 6 December.
Why it matters: The conviction relates to serious sexual offences committed against children over multiple years, spanning the 1970s and 1980s.
Details of the conviction:
- Eaton was found guilty of raping a girl under 16 between 1977 and 1982
- He committed two indecent assaults between 1974 and 1980
- Four further offences of gross indecency occurred between 1974 and 1988
Additional measures:
- He must spend six years on licence following prison term
- Required to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for life
- Subject to a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order
What they're saying: Det Sgt Elizabeth Allen from Suffolk Police's Internet Child Abuse Investigation team praised the victims' courage, saying: "These were dreadful crimes against victims who were children at the time of the offences. I am pleased that the sentence passed in court reflects that."
The bottom line: After facing trial for offences dating back nearly 50 years, Eaton will serve a 15-year prison sentence, followed by extensive monitoring measures designed to protect the public.
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