FREDERICK TATE BOGNOR REGIS SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED AFTER VICTIM'S ESCAPE AND VIDEO PRODUCTION

In a case that has shocked the community of Bognor Regis, Frederick Tate, a 60-year-old man, was convicted and sentenced for a series of disturbing crimes involving underage girls. The offences came to light after police investigations revealed Tate's involvement in exploiting vulnerable teenage girls through the production of explicit videos and other sexual misconduct.

According to court records, Tate had established a troubling relationship with three girls, all aged 14, who appeared in two homemade videos he filmed at his flat in Hazel Road, Bognor Regis. The court was told that Tate supplied these girls with cigarettes, alcohol, and money, effectively grooming them for sexual acts. The girls, who were in care and had previously suffered sexual abuse, were manipulated into performing acts on camera, with Tate recording these encounters.

The case took a more alarming turn when one of the girls, after fleeing her foster home, visited Tate multiple times. On the morning of October 21, 2010, the day of his arrest, she was at his residence. During police searches later that day, officers discovered her hiding in Tate’s walk-in wardrobe. The court heard that Tate had allowed the girl to drive his car and had taken her out for meals during her visits, further entangling her in his manipulative schemes.

In a bizarre attempt to evade detection, Tate tried to deceive the girl’s mother, who had seen her daughter getting into a car in Hampshire. Tate falsely claimed to be the girl’s grandfather, attempting to cover his tracks. The mother, suspicious of the situation, noted the vehicle’s number plate and reported it to the police. Law enforcement officials used this information to track down Tate, leading to his arrest.

During the trial at Chichester Crown Court, Judge William Wood heard the details of the case. Tate was found guilty of multiple charges, including two counts of sexual activity, two counts of causing or inciting sexual activity, two counts of making indecent videos, and two counts of producing indecent photographs. All victims were under the age of 16. The videos were classified as level 2 and level 4, with level 5 being the most severe.

In his sentencing, Judge Wood imposed a prison term of seven years, with Tate expected to serve at least half of that sentence before being eligible for parole. Additionally, Tate was ordered to serve five years on license upon release. The judge also mandated that Tate register as a sex offender for life and be subject to a sexual offences prevention order.

During police interviews, Tate denied any knowledge of the girls and claimed he was not with them when their mother saw him. He insisted he had nothing to hide. Despite his denials, the court’s verdict confirmed his guilt, and he was sentenced accordingly. Sadly, it was noted that Frederick Tate passed away in Maidstone prison in April 2013 while serving his sentence, bringing an end to a case that highlighted the dangers faced by vulnerable young girls in the community.