FREDERICK THIRTLE BUNGAY AND ELLOUGH SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED FOR DECADES-OLD CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULTS

In a case that spanned several decades and finally culminated in justice, Frederick Thirtle, a 68-year-old man from Ellough near Bungay, was sentenced after being found guilty of serious sexual offenses committed against a young girl in the late 1970s. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing history of abuse that had remained hidden for years, only coming to light after the victim, now an adult, chose to speak out.

On Friday, March 3, at Ipswich Crown Court, Thirtle was given a 15-month prison sentence, which was suspended for 18 months. The court also ordered him to pay prosecution costs amounting to £1,500 and mandated that he register as a sex offender for the next ten years. The sentencing followed a trial that began in early December, where Thirtle was convicted of two counts of indecent assault against a girl who was only 12 years old at the time of the offenses.

The charges stemmed from incidents that allegedly took place in 1979 at an address in Beccles, Suffolk. The victim, who has since come forward as an adult, initially reported the assaults to police in May 2015. She explained that she had kept her trauma secret for many years, feeling ashamed and guilty, and only later confided in a boyfriend in 1987 about her abuse. Her decision to report the crimes decades after they occurred marked a significant step in her journey toward healing.

Prior to the trial, Thirtle was summoned to appear before Lowestoft Magistrates Court on June 8, 2016, to answer charges related to the same offenses. During police interviews, Thirtle initially denied any sexual assault but later admitted that he might have engaged in 'tickling' and 'horseplay' with the girl. Investigations revealed that the victim had provided police with detailed maps of the locations where the assaults took place, despite not having returned to those premises since childhood. Witnesses and those close to the victim confirmed her account, reinforcing the credibility of her claims.

Expressing her relief and gratitude, the victim stated, “I am so glad I finally found the courage to report the sexual assaults against me when I was a 12-year-old child. The assaults changed me to the very core of my being, and those changes can never be undone. However, achieving justice some 37 years later has also been a life-changing experience for me, this time for the better. I feel like a great weight has been lifted, and I can finally find some form of closure.”

She also praised the support she received from law enforcement, particularly highlighting the efforts of PC Annie Falgate and the Gemini team, who provided her with ongoing assistance throughout the legal process. Her message to other victims of similar crimes was clear: “No matter how long ago, I encourage you to report these crimes to the police. They will help and support you; they truly understand how difficult it is to speak out.”

Thirtle’s criminal history was revisited in December 2016, when he was found guilty of abusing a girl aged 12 in Ellough in 1979. At that time, he was 31 years old. The court proceedings confirmed his involvement in two counts of indecent assault against the young girl, which had occurred nearly four decades earlier. Following his conviction, Thirtle was released on bail pending sentencing, which took place in early March 2017, bringing a long-overdue measure of justice for the victim and the community of Bungay and Ellough.