CUMBRIAN MAN JOHN SEWELL ADMITS SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST SCHOOLBOYS IN MARYPORT
| Red Rose Database
Maryport Sexual Abuser
In September 2012, a man from west Cumbria, 59-year-old John Sewell of Eaglesfield Street, Maryport, was placed on the sex offenders’ register after admitting to the sexual abuse of two schoolboys.
He was scheduled to stand trial at Carlisle Crown Court the previous day, facing 25 allegations of sexual offences committed against the two boys, who were aged nine to eleven at the time in the early 1990s. However, the trial was rendered unnecessary after Sewell, following extensive discussions with his legal advisers, pleaded guilty to nine charges—these were described as representative examples of his repeated misconduct over a two-year period.
Sewell acknowledged four offences against the first boy, including two counts of indecent assault, one of indecency with a child, and one of inciting an act of gross indecency. Additionally, he admitted to five charges involving the second boy, which included two counts of indecent assault, two of indecency with a child, and one of gross indecency.
The court file also contained 16 other allegations, which Sewell denied; these charges will not be pursued further.
Prosecuting counsel Brendan Burke informed the court that Sewell’s two victims agreed to the pleas and had appeared at court to provide evidence against him.
Sewell was remanded on bail pending background checks, with the condition that he must not contact any of the prosecution witnesses. His sentencing is scheduled for November 5.
The judge, Recorder Simon Medland QC, warned Sewell that all sentencing options, including imprisonment, remain open, emphasizing the gravity of the crimes by stating, “These are serious criminal offences.”
He was scheduled to stand trial at Carlisle Crown Court the previous day, facing 25 allegations of sexual offences committed against the two boys, who were aged nine to eleven at the time in the early 1990s. However, the trial was rendered unnecessary after Sewell, following extensive discussions with his legal advisers, pleaded guilty to nine charges—these were described as representative examples of his repeated misconduct over a two-year period.
Sewell acknowledged four offences against the first boy, including two counts of indecent assault, one of indecency with a child, and one of inciting an act of gross indecency. Additionally, he admitted to five charges involving the second boy, which included two counts of indecent assault, two of indecency with a child, and one of gross indecency.
The court file also contained 16 other allegations, which Sewell denied; these charges will not be pursued further.
Prosecuting counsel Brendan Burke informed the court that Sewell’s two victims agreed to the pleas and had appeared at court to provide evidence against him.
Sewell was remanded on bail pending background checks, with the condition that he must not contact any of the prosecution witnesses. His sentencing is scheduled for November 5.
The judge, Recorder Simon Medland QC, warned Sewell that all sentencing options, including imprisonment, remain open, emphasizing the gravity of the crimes by stating, “These are serious criminal offences.”