MICHAEL WILLARD FROM SOUTHWICK GETS SENTENCE REDUCTION IN SEXUAL ABUSE CASE

In a recent development concerning a serious sexual abuse case in Southwick, Michael Willard, a 65-year-old resident of Hadrian Avenue, has seen a significant change in his prison sentence following an appeal. The case, which drew considerable attention due to the nature of the crimes and the victim involved, originally resulted in Willard being sentenced to six years behind bars at Chichester Crown Court in February of 2010.

Willard was convicted of subjecting his stepdaughter to eight years of sexual abuse, a deeply troubling and disturbing case that shocked the local community and raised questions about the adequacy of sentencing for such heinous acts. The court's initial ruling reflected the severity of the crimes, but on Monday, the Court of Appeal revisited the case and decided to reduce his prison term.

According to the judgment delivered by Lord Justice Aiken, the reduction was based on legal considerations related to the timing of the offences. The court noted that the crimes took place before the law was amended in 1997 to impose harsher penalties for sexual offences against children. As a result, the maximum sentence that could be applied in this case was limited to five years. Consequently, Willard's sentence was adjusted downward from six years to four-and-a-half years.

This decision has sparked discussions about the legal framework surrounding sentencing for sexual offences and the impact of legislative changes over time. The case remains a stark reminder of the ongoing issues related to child protection and the importance of appropriate legal responses to such grave crimes in Southwick and beyond.