JASON PETTIFER SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS IN LEICESTERSHIRE FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST CHILDREN

A dedicated detective from Leicestershire has publicly commended the bravery of young victims after successfully securing an 18-year prison sentence for Jason Pettifer, a man convicted of heinous sexual crimes against children. Pettifer, aged 38, targeted vulnerable single mothers with young children, carefully grooming them with the intent of satisfying his own depraved desires.

He deliberately inserted himself into family environments, often moving into the homes of these women and assuming the role of a step-parent. This calculated approach allowed him to manipulate the trust placed in him by the families, creating opportunities to access children and commit multiple sexual offences. His actions were methodical and predatory, exploiting the vulnerabilities of both the mothers and their children.

Detective Constable Lauren Speight, a member of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, expressed her admiration for the victims' resilience. She stated, “I would like to sincerely praise the girls and their families for their strength and cooperation with the police. They have shown remarkable bravery and courage in speaking out in detail about their experiences.”

In February 2022, authorities received reports from two young girls who revealed they had been sexually abused by Pettifer. The abuse had occurred over a period from 2017 to 2020. At the time of the offences, one girl was only eight years old, and the other was ten. Both victims disclosed that they had been assaulted, but neither was aware that the other had been targeted until one of them confided in a family member.

Following a trial held at Leicester Crown Court in April, Pettifer, who is currently detained at HMP Lincoln, was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault by penetration of a child under 13, as well as one count of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. The court's verdict marked a significant step in delivering justice for the victims.

On Tuesday, June 3rd, Pettifer was sentenced to serve 18 years in prison. Additionally, he was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and a restraining order, both valid for ten years, to prevent any future contact with minors. His sentencing also included a 16-month prison term for a separate, unrelated case in Derbyshire from 2024, to which he pleaded guilty last year. This sentence will be served consecutively to his primary sentence.

Detective Constable Speight emphasized the danger Pettifer posed, stating, “Pettifer is a dangerous individual who posed a significant risk of harm to children. Pettifer has now been sentenced and is behind bars, no longer able to harm others.” She further highlighted the pattern of predatory behavior exhibited by Pettifer and the importance of the justice system in protecting vulnerable families.

She concluded, “His actions demonstrated a clear pattern of predatory behavior, and the risk he posed to vulnerable families cannot be overstated. I hope that this outcome brings the victims some measure of closure and helps them begin to move forward in their lives. We are deeply grateful for their trust in us. It is because of their strength and willingness to come forward that Pettifer is now behind bars and no longer able to harm others.”