AMBROSE CLIFTON FROM SOUTH RESTON FAILS IN APPEAL OVER CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN LINCOLN

In January 2014, the legal proceedings against Ambrose Clifton, a pensioner from South Reston, took a serious turn as he failed to overturn his convictions related to heinous crimes against a young girl. Clifton, aged 72 at the time, was found guilty of multiple charges including the rape and molestation of a six-year-old girl, and the subsequent possession of indecent photographs of the victim. The evidence against him was overwhelming, and his appeal at London's Criminal Appeal Court was dismissed by three senior judges, who confirmed that the original verdicts were safe and justified.

Clifton, who resided on Field View Road in South Reston near Louth, Lincolnshire, had been sentenced in December 2012 to a lengthy prison term of 14 years after a trial at Lincoln Crown Court. During the trial, the court heard disturbing details of his crimes, which included not only sexual assault but also the production of sickening photographs of the young girl he abused. Police investigations uncovered these photographs during a search of Clifton’s home, further cementing the evidence against him.

At the time of his sentencing, Clifton was also a former chairman of the Brookenby Parish Council, a detail that added to the public outrage. He had denied all charges, which included rape, sexual assault, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and making indecent photographs of a child. Despite his denial, the jury found him guilty on all counts after a two-week trial. The prosecution’s case was largely circumstantial, relying on evidence such as indecent photographs found on Clifton’s computer and the victim’s trauma, which was so severe that the child did not provide a formal witness statement. Instead, the case was built on hearsay and circumstantial evidence.

During the proceedings, the court was told that Clifton had threatened the young girl and her mother, warning them that they would die if they revealed what had happened. This intimidation was a key part of the case, and the victim’s family expressed relief and satisfaction with the verdict. They issued a statement saying, “We are satisfied with the sentence imposed on Clifton today. His conviction after a lengthy investigation and trial gives us as parents relief that our child was supported by the police and the criminal justice system as a whole. This has been every parent’s worst nightmare but we now hope to put it behind us and move forward as a family.”

Clifton’s appeal, which argued that he did not receive a fair trial, was heard in London’s Criminal Appeal Court. His legal team claimed that the trial was flawed, but the judges dismissed these arguments, reaffirming the safety of the original convictions. The court also imposed reporting restrictions to protect the identity and age of the victim, as well as details of where the offences took place.

In addition to the criminal proceedings, Clifton’s health was a concern. It was reported that he had fallen seriously ill earlier in the month and was hospitalized with what was believed to be pneumonia. His health issues contributed to delays in his sentencing, and he was detained in intensive care. His legal representatives highlighted his poor health and financial difficulties, including the repossession of his home due to mortgage arrears, which could lead to bankruptcy. His defense argued that his health was so fragile that he might not survive long in prison, and that his release was unlikely.

Overall, the case of Ambrose Clifton from South Reston remains a stark reminder of the severity of child abuse crimes and the importance of justice for victims. The legal process has upheld the verdicts, and the community continues to grapple with the impact of these disturbing events.