LLOYD BREACH SHOCKS CRAWLEY WITH HORRIFIC SEX OFFENCES IN HORSHAM AND BEYOND

In a series of disturbing criminal acts that have sent shockwaves through the Crawley community, Lloyd Breach, a 23-year-old man with a troubling history of sexual offences, has been convicted and sentenced for multiple heinous crimes committed in and around Horsham. The gravity of his actions, which span several years and involve vulnerable victims, underscores the ongoing concerns about safeguarding minors and the importance of vigilant law enforcement.

On Wednesday, August 12, at Hove Trial Centre, Lloyd Breach was formally sentenced to serve eight years in prison for three counts of rape and one count of assault by penetration. These offences were committed when he was just 20 years old and involved a young girl who was particularly vulnerable at the time. Breach had initially denied the charges but changed his plea to guilty approximately three weeks before the scheduled trial, a decision that spared the victim the trauma of giving evidence and undergoing cross-examination. The judge, Richard Hayward, acknowledged this plea change, which resulted in a reduction of his sentence by a fifth.

Judge Hayward also ordered that Breach be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and extended an existing sexual harm prevention order for an additional ten years. The court classified his offences as category 2A for rape, indicating targeted attacks on a vulnerable individual. The judge described the offences as targeted and predatory, emphasizing the breach of trust involved, especially considering that all crimes occurred when Breach was 20. The judge further noted that Breach’s actions were serious and concerning, but he could potentially be released after serving two-thirds of his sentence, subject to a strict licensing regime.

Prosecutor Peter Forbes revealed that the victim only reported the assault after seeing news reports about Breach’s conviction for other sexual offences. Breach’s criminal record is extensive; he had previously been sentenced to two years in prison for multiple offences, including meeting a child following sexual grooming, sexually assaulting a child, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, possessing indecent images of children, and possessing extreme pornography. After serving his initial sentence, Breach was released but was recalled to prison on licence after being convicted on two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

During the court proceedings, a victim impact statement was read aloud, revealing the profound emotional and psychological toll the crimes had taken. The victim described the ordeal as long and emotionally draining, highlighting how Breach’s betrayal of trust had left her with serious psychological issues. The statement also detailed how Breach had threatened her if she did not comply with his demands, illustrating the targeted and coercive nature of the attack.

Defense attorney Rachel Lane argued that Breach’s guilty pleas were a significant mitigating factor, as they spared the victim from the ordeal of a trial. She also presented a probation report indicating that Breach was a vulnerable young man, struggling with relationship issues, academic difficulties, and bullying during childhood. Lane mentioned that the death of Breach’s grandfather and the breakdown of a relationship at the time of the offences contributed to his state of mind. She emphasized that the case was not a typical abuse of trust scenario, as the relationship between Breach and the victim was not longstanding. Lane acknowledged that Breach now recognizes the gravity of his actions and expressed remorse, stating that he is aware his words and actions led the girl to participate in activities she did not want to engage in.

Furthermore, Lane highlighted Breach’s struggles with a subconscious voice that he claims influences his attraction to young girls. She also noted that Breach, a father and former bouncer, has shown remorse and is seeking help for his issues. His current girlfriend, a mother of young children, provided a statement indicating that he had encouraged her to report an earlier abusive relationship and described him as gentle and protective.

Judge Hayward expressed concern over Breach’s continued pattern of sexual offences, especially noting the convictions obtained after the initial attack. As a result, the court modified his sexual offences prevention order to prohibit him from having unsupervised contact with children without social services approval. This case underscores the ongoing risks posed by Breach and the importance of strict supervision and monitoring.

Earlier in July 2015, Breach had pleaded guilty to raping a girl three times between October and November 2012, as well as sexually assaulting her during the same period. He also admitted to other related offences, including grooming and possession of indecent images. His criminal history includes a previous conviction in December 2013 for grooming two young girls online and attempting to groom a third, which resulted in a two-year prison sentence. That earlier case involved multiple charges, including sexual assault, inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, and possession of indecent images, all committed between January 2012 and March 2013.

The woman who initially reported Breach’s online manipulations has publicly called for a harsher sentence, condemning his actions and emphasizing the need for justice. She described her suspicions when Breach moved in with her and her flatmate in spring 2013, noting his odd behavior, secretive use of their laptop, and manipulative conversations with young girls on social media platforms like Skype and Tagged. Her account detailed how she discovered explicit conversations and realized he was targeting younger, naive girls. She expressed outrage that Breach had continued his offending in person, and she strongly believes he should face a much longer sentence to protect others from his predatory behavior.

As Breach remains in custody, his sentencing is scheduled at Lewes Crown Court, where the full extent of his criminal conduct will be formally addressed. His case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals who exploit trust and vulnerability, and the importance of vigilant law enforcement and community awareness in preventing such crimes.