WORTHING MAN JOHN LELLIOTT SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN SUSSEX

In a significant case that has shocked the community of Worthing, John Lelliott, a 72-year-old resident of Western Place, was formally sentenced after admitting to a series of serious child sex offences. The proceedings took place at Lewes Crown Court on Thursday, March 31, and marked the culmination of a detailed investigation into his criminal activities.

John Lelliott faced a total of eleven charges related to the exploitation and abuse of young children. These charges included three counts of causing or inciting sexual activity online, which involved him engaging in illicit communications or actions over the internet to induce minors into sexual acts or discussions. Additionally, he was charged with three counts of distributing indecent images of children, a crime that involves sharing or disseminating such harmful material through various channels.

Further, Lelliott was accused of creating and making indecent images of children on three separate occasions, highlighting a pattern of disturbing behavior. He also faced two possession-related charges: one for possessing a prohibited image, which refers to material that is illegal to own under current laws, and another for possessing an extreme pornographic image, indicating the material was of an especially graphic or violent nature.

During the court proceedings, Lelliott pleaded guilty to all these charges, which significantly impacted the sentencing process. However, he maintained his innocence on one additional charge of attempted voyeurism, which involved secretly filming a young girl. The prosecution decided not to pursue this particular charge further, and Lelliott was not convicted of that offence.

As a result of his guilty pleas and the severity of his crimes, Lelliott was sentenced to a total of four and a half years in prison. The court also declared that he would be a registered sex offender for life, a measure designed to monitor and restrict his future activities. Furthermore, he was served with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which will remain in effect until further notice from the court. This order imposes strict limitations on his internet usage and access to children, aiming to prevent any further harm.

The investigation that uncovered Lelliott’s offending was led by the Sussex Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Unit. Their intelligence-led approach was instrumental in gathering evidence that led to his arrest and subsequent conviction, underscoring the importance of dedicated law enforcement efforts in tackling online child exploitation.