JEFFREY BUSSEY FROM ESH WINNING SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRL IN DURHAM

In a case that has shocked the community of Esh Winning and the wider Durham area, Jeffrey Bussey, a 58-year-old former prison officer, was sentenced to a total of eight years in prison for serious sexual offenses committed against a young girl. The sentencing took place at Durham Crown Court, where the court heard detailed accounts of the crimes and the impact they have had on the victim and her family.

According to court records, Bussey was a serving prison officer until his arrest, which followed allegations that surfaced last July. The information was passed to authorities by the victim’s school, prompting an investigation that ultimately led to his arrest and subsequent trial. Despite being found guilty of two counts of sexual assault, Bussey maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. He claimed that any physical contact might have been mistaken for innocent tickling, and he insisted that he was attracted only to women, not children.

During the trial held in April, Bussey, who resides at Dene Park in Esh Winning, denied the charges but was convicted by a jury on the third day of deliberations. The jury unanimously agreed that he was guilty of the two counts of sexual assault. The judge, Christopher Prince, remanded Bussey into custody immediately after the verdict was delivered.

Prosecutor Richard Bennett outlined the details of the case during the sentencing hearing. He explained that one of the charges related to a specific incident, while the other was a broader allegation covering multiple occasions. The court also heard a poignant impact statement from the victim’s mother, who described the emotional toll the ordeal has taken on her daughter. The girl has been undergoing ongoing counseling through Barnardo’s, a children’s charity, and her mother expressed concern that her daughter has developed a fear of men as a result of the abuse.

Judge Prince acknowledged the profound effect the crimes have had on the victim’s family, describing their suffering as “shattered” by the events. He emphasized the vulnerability of the young girl and expressed hope that the counseling will aid her recovery over time. In light of the severity of the offenses, the judge sentenced Bussey to serve consecutive terms of five and three years in prison. Additionally, he imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which restricts Bussey from having unsupervised contact with underage females and will remain in effect until further notice. The court also mandated that Bussey register as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community.

Earlier in April, Bussey had received a warning about the likelihood of an inevitable prison sentence after being convicted on two counts of sexual touching involving a young girl. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which such offenses are treated and highlights the ongoing efforts to safeguard vulnerable children from predators like Bussey.