BRETT SITCH FROM FAREHAM SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS FOR ABUSE IN GOSPORT AND HAMPSHIRE

Brett Sitch, a 52-year-old man residing on Hammond Road in Fareham, has been convicted on multiple serious charges following an extensive investigation conducted by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s specialized Operation Amberstone team. The investigation uncovered a disturbing pattern of abuse spanning several years, involving vulnerable young boys in the Gosport area and beyond.

Specifically, Sitch faced 12 criminal charges, which included ten counts of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 16. Additionally, he was charged with two counts of inciting a boy under 14 to commit acts of gross indecency. These allegations paint a grim picture of exploitation and manipulation by Sitch, who used various tactics to prey on young children.

The case was set in motion on January 9, 2020, when one of the victims, now an adult man, courageously came forward to police to disclose the abuse he had suffered. He revealed that Sitch had subjected him to sexual abuse once or twice weekly over a period of two years at an address in Gosport. This initial disclosure prompted a broader investigation, leading authorities to speak with other men who claimed to have been abused by Sitch during their childhoods.

Many of these individuals recounted that Sitch had encouraged them to perform sexual acts on him, often under the guise of playing 'dares.' These 'dares' involved the victims engaging in indecent acts with other boys, further illustrating the manipulative and predatory nature of Sitch’s conduct. The police inquiries uncovered a disturbing pattern of grooming and exploitation, with Sitch exploiting the trust of vulnerable children for his own sexual gratification.

Throughout the legal proceedings, Sitch maintained his innocence, denying all allegations of abuse. His case was brought before Portsmouth Crown Court, where the trial commenced on Monday, November 20, 2023. After a thorough examination of the evidence, Sitch was found guilty of all 12 charges on Friday, December 7. The verdict marked a significant step in delivering justice for the victims who had endured years of trauma.

Today, on Friday, March 22, Sitch appeared in court for sentencing. The judge sentenced him to a lengthy term of 30 years in prison, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the impact on his victims. The sentence underscores the seriousness with which the justice system views such heinous acts and aims to protect the community from further harm.

DC Sam Couchman, a representative from Operation Amberstone, expressed his thoughts on the case, stating, “What these children, now grown men, experienced at such a young age was appalling. The bravery shown by the victims in this case has been commendable. I want to praise them for the courage they have shown through the investigation, and for talking to police about what had happened to them to help bring Sitch to justice. Sitch completely took advantage of these children, using the façade of dares to mask his abuse and normalise his disturbing sexual behaviour.”