October 4, 2011 Erith child rapist Lee Hewitt jailed for 13 years Lee Hewitt, 31, of Canada Road, Erith, was found guilty of nine of the eleven offences put before Maidstone Crown Court last month, including rape, indecent assault, indecency with a child and sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 13. During the two-and-a-half week trial, the jury heard how Hewitt regularly sexually abused two girls – one of whom was just five when the offences started – between 1993 and 2004. Judge Philip Statman said: “This court saw both females give evidence and speak of what you had done to them in an extremely brave manner. One of these girls stated she had felt dirty and used.” Hewitt was found guilty of four counts of indecently assaulting a child, one count of indecency with a child, three counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 13, and one count of rape. A 10-year sexual prevention order was issued by the judge, and Hewitt will also be required to be on the sex offenders’ register for life. Det Con Anne-Marie McAteer, who carried out the investigation, said: “We welcome the significant sentence that has today been handed down and which finally brings this sexual predator to justice. “Hewitt preyed on these children for more than a decade, repeatedly and regularly sexually abusing them without a thought for the harm and suffering he was causing. “The success of this investigation would not have been possible without the sheer bravery of the victims and they should be commended for their courage in coming forward to report these crimes. Without their courage, this case would never have come to court. “I hope the sentence imposed today will allow the victims to continue to rebuild their lives, safe in the knowledge that this man will remain in prison for some time. “I also hope this sentencing will give past and present victims of these types of offences the confidence to come forward to report these crimes, knowing that those responsible will be brought to justice.”