CHARLES BUXTON AND SHOCKING SEXUAL OFFENCES IN NEWBURY AND CROMER

A man in his seventies has been formally sentenced to a substantial prison term after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences committed against a young girl over a period of several years. The individual, Charles Buxton, aged 71 and residing in North Sydmonton, Newbury, Berkshire, received a sentence totaling nine and a half years following his appearance at Norwich Crown Court on the 13th of September, 2023.

The court proceedings revealed that Buxton was handed a sentence of four years and two months for engaging in sexual activity with a minor. Additionally, he was sentenced to two years for causing or inciting a child to participate in sexual acts, with this term to run concurrently with the other. Furthermore, he received a consecutive sentence of five years and four months for other related offences. As part of his punishment, Buxton was also issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was placed on the Sex Offender Register, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions.

Buxton had previously entered a guilty plea to the charges, which spanned from 2009 to 2011. The allegations came to light after the victim, who was underage at the time, reported the abuse to authorities on Monday, November 25, 2019. She disclosed that she had been subjected to grooming and sexual abuse by Buxton, who was then in his late 50s, during their acquaintance in Cromer.

The court heard that Buxton’s manipulative tactics began early in the 2000s, when he started by giving the young girl gifts such as sweets, money, and cigarettes. These gestures were part of his strategy to gain her trust and make her feel special, fostering an illusion that she was in love with him. Over time, this grooming process led to sexual activity, which Buxton carried out in a manner that remained hidden from the public eye.

In a powerful statement read aloud in court, the victim described the profound and lasting impact of Buxton’s actions. She said, “Years have passed, chapters of my life written, my face and body have changed, my family has grown. The wounds of my childhood still open and weep, impacting my life in so many ways. I have suffered with my mental health since the abuse started and still now, it is a constant battle. You took away my voice, you blurred the lines of love, stole my innocence and did it all hidden in plain sight from the world.”

This case highlights the disturbing reality of abuse that can occur under the guise of normalcy and trust, often going unnoticed by those around the victims. The sentencing aims to serve justice for the victim and to reinforce the importance of vigilance and safeguarding in communities like Newbury and Cromer.