GARY LICENCE FROM IPSWICH SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN NORWICH COURT
In November 2016, a former local football referee from Ipswich, named Gary Licence, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple child sex offences.The court proceedings took place at Norwich Crown Court, where Licence, aged 76 and residing on High View Road in Ipswich, appeared via video link from Norwich prison to face the charges.
Licence’s criminal actions spanned several years, and his guilty plea covered four separate offences involving a young girl who has now grown into an adult.
The court was informed that the abuse was carried out in a manner that the judge described as 'disgraceful.' During the sentencing, Judge David Goodin expressed his condemnation of Licence’s conduct, emphasizing the severity of the abuse inflicted upon the victim.
He stated that the offences represented a 'monstrous' betrayal of trust and that the victim had suffered immensely.
The judge also acknowledged Licence’s previous residence in Colchester and Dovercourt, but made it clear that the crimes took place in Ipswich.
Throughout the proceedings, Licence, who was visibly emotional, listened via video link and made a tearful statement, expressing his remorse.
He said, “Can I just say I’m absolutely disgusted with myself totally and I just wish the lady so much better for the future.
I’m absolutely disgusted with myself.
I’m very sorry.” Judge Goodin remarked that if the offences had occurred in the present day, Licence could have faced a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
However, since the crimes happened several years ago, the maximum sentence available was 10 years.
The judge stated that he had no hesitation in starting at the top of that scale but took into account Licence’s early guilty plea and his age and health issues, including suffering from minor strokes, two of which had occurred since his remand in custody in August.
The court was also informed that the victim, who had initially confided in police in August 2015, felt powerless to stop Licence, a former Safeways worker, and experienced significant emotional trauma, turning into an angry child as a result of the abuse.
In addition to his prison sentence, Licence was subjected to the requirements of the Sexual Offences Act, including a notification order and a sexual harm prevention order, both of which were imposed without any time limit.
These measures are intended to monitor and prevent any future offending, reflecting the seriousness with which the court viewed his crimes.
