OSCAR FITZGERALD FROM LOWESTOFT JAILED FOR RAPE OF 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN WEST SUFFOLK

In a case that has shocked the community of Lowestoft and the wider West Suffolk area, Oscar Fitzgerald, a 26-year-old man from Lowestoft, has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl. The incident, which took place in September 2015, has brought to light serious concerns about online safety and the protection of minors in the region.

According to court records, Fitzgerald pleaded guilty to three counts of raping a girl under the age of 13 during a hearing held on Friday, December 4. The case was brought to court after police investigations confirmed the young girl’s account of the assault, which occurred after she was lured into a situation by a man she had been communicating with online.

The police were alerted on the evening of Wednesday, September 2, when the girl’s mother contacted authorities at approximately 8:40 pm. She expressed her concern that her daughter, who she last saw at around 5:45 pm that same day, had been engaging with older men through social media platforms. The mother reported her worries that her daughter might be in danger, prompting immediate action from law enforcement.

Following the report, officers launched a search operation in the vicinity of the girl’s home in West Suffolk. During the search, the girl managed to contact her mother via text message at about 9:15 pm, informing her that she was back in the area and was walking home. Shortly thereafter, police officers located and spoke with her. During the interview, she disclosed that she had been assaulted by a man she had been in contact with online. She revealed that she had been picked up by this man, who drove her to Lowestoft, where she was raped. The girl provided limited details about her attacker, including his first name, the color of the vehicle he drove, his phone number, and the fact that she was taken to a two-bedroom house in the town. She also mentioned that they stopped at a petrol station along the way.

Investigations by the police quickly identified Fitzgerald as the suspect. Law enforcement officials conducted checks and inquiries that led to his arrest at his residence on Church Road in Lowestoft around 2 am on Thursday, September 3. During his time in custody, police interviewed the young victim again and confirmed that her contact with Fitzgerald had only occurred on September 2, and that Fitzgerald was aware she was only 12 years old.

The girl recounted that upon arriving at Fitzgerald’s address, she was instructed to go upstairs. Despite her protests and telling him to stop, she was subjected to sexual assault. After the assault, Fitzgerald drove her back to her neighborhood and dropped her off at a bus stop not far from her home. The forensic evidence collected from the scene supported her account, and further police inquiries corroborated her story.

Fitzgerald refused to answer questions during his police interview. Nevertheless, based on the victim’s testimony and the evidence gathered, he was formally charged and brought before court on September 5. The case proceeded swiftly through the judicial system, culminating in today’s sentencing.

On Friday, February 5, Fitzgerald was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court to serve eight years in prison. Additionally, he will be placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Lowestoft and highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and protective measures for vulnerable children in the digital age.