GUY LONGHURST, THE PAEDOPHILE ELECTRICIAN FROM HORSHAM AND WISBECH, CONVICTED OF ABUSE OF 14-YEAR-OLDS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Horsham and Wisbech, Guy Anthony Longhurst, a man with a troubling history of abusing young girls, was found guilty of multiple serious offences related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The conviction was handed down at Lewes Crown Court, where the court heard how Longhurst, aged 44 at the time of sentencing, had committed these heinous acts over a span of several years, from 1994 to 2002.

Longhurst, who was formerly residing on Bethune Road in Horsham but later moved to Wisbech, faced a total of 19 charges after initially pleading not guilty. His trial revealed a pattern of predatory behavior involving two 14-year-old girls, as well as an incident involving a 16-year-old girl who was not a student at the college where Longhurst was a cadet leader.

During the proceedings, it was disclosed that Longhurst had established a clandestine 'secret room' at the College of Richard Collyer, located on Hurst Road in Horsham. This room was used to carry out abusive acts and was specifically created for a girl who was 16 at the time, but who was not enrolled as a student at the college. The identity of this girl remains protected by legal restrictions, and she is now an adult woman.

The jury found Longhurst guilty on 16 counts of indecent assault involving two girls under the age of 16, and three counts of taking indecent photographs of minors. The charges stemmed from incidents that occurred over a period of years, with one victim falling prey to Longhurst between 1994 and 1996, and the other between 2000 and 2002.

Longhurst's arrest was initiated on January 31, 2007, after one of his victims, who is now in her twenties, approached Sussex Police to report the abuse. The investigation uncovered a disturbing pattern of exploitation and abuse, leading to his conviction on multiple counts of indecent assault and child pornography.

This case highlights the ongoing issues of safeguarding and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable young people from predators like Guy Longhurst, whose actions have caused lasting harm to his victims and their families.