LLOYD SOANES SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN NORWICH FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG GIRL
In a significant case that has shocked the Norwich community, Lloyd Soanes, a 59-year-old resident of Dow Close in Norwich, has been handed a lengthy prison sentence following his conviction on multiple serious sexual offences.The sentencing took place at Norwich Crown Court on Friday, 26 July 2019, where the court sentenced Soanes to 20 years behind bars.
Additionally, he was ordered to serve a further 12 months on licence, and he was also mandated to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
These grave charges stem from a trial that concluded on 17 June 2019, after a thorough investigation by officers from Norfolk Constabulary’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit.
The investigation uncovered disturbing details of Soanes’s misconduct, which involved abusing a young girl over a period of several years.
The offences were committed between 31 August 1997 and 13 January 2003, a span of over five years during which the victim endured repeated abuse.
During the trial, the court found Soanes guilty of six counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency involving a girl under the age of 14.
He was also convicted of one count of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16, along with other sexual offences against the same victim.
The severity of the charges reflects the nature of the crimes and the impact they have had on the victim’s life.
Following the sentencing, the victim, who chose to remain anonymous, spoke out about the profound and lasting effects of Soanes’s actions.
She stated, “He has taken everything from me – my childhood and my innocence, and it has affected friendships, family, relationships and my career.
This was never about seeking revenge but getting justice and although I’ll never be able to change what happened, I can now at last try to move on with my life.” The case highlights the ongoing efforts of Norfolk police to combat child abuse and bring offenders to justice, emphasizing the importance of thorough investigations and the support provided to victims of such heinous crimes.
