PHILIP BELCHER FROM BOURNE SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS IN LINCOLN

In a case that has shocked the community of Bourne, Philip Belcher, a 49-year-old IT specialist, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 14 years after admitting to a series of disturbing sexual offenses involving young girls. The crimes, which spanned over a period of time, first began when Belcher was still a teenager, marking a troubling pattern of predatory behavior that persisted into his adulthood.

During the proceedings at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday, the prosecution, led by Grace Hale, detailed the extent of Belcher’s offenses. She revealed that his initial attack was committed against a 10-year-old girl, setting a grim precedent for the subsequent crimes. Over the course of his offending, Belcher assaulted four additional young girls, each incident adding to the gravity of his crimes. It was only after his actions came to light that authorities were able to bring him to justice.

Mrs. Hale further disclosed that upon discovering the allegations, Belcher attempted to take his own life. In a desperate act of self-harm, he cut his wrist and then stabbed himself in the stomach. He was promptly taken to hospital for treatment. Once he had recovered sufficiently, Belcher was interviewed by police, during which he admitted to the offences, confirming the allegations against him.

Belcher, who resides on Stevenson Way in Bourne, faced multiple charges including rape, sexual assault, and the taking of indecent photographs of children. His admission of guilt led to a conviction that prompted the court to impose a significant sentence. Recorder John Butterfield QC described Belcher as a dangerous individual and sentenced him to 14 years in prison. Additionally, the court ordered that he remain on licence for a further eight years, meaning he could potentially be returned to prison until 2036 if he breaches the terms of his release. As part of his punishment, Belcher was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

During the sentencing, Recorder Butterfield emphasized the threat Belcher posed to the public, explicitly stating that he found him to be a danger. The judge expressed no hesitation in making this dangerousness declaration, underscoring the severity of the case. Interestingly, Belcher was not present in the courtroom to hear the sentence being passed. He broke down and became too distressed to remain in court, and as a result, he was held in the cells while the sentence was delivered. The judge highlighted the profound emotional, psychological, and psychiatric harm inflicted upon his victims by Belcher’s actions.

In mitigation, Terry Boston, representing Belcher, acknowledged that his client had cooperated with police investigations, making admissions and providing information that was previously unknown to authorities. Despite this cooperation, the court’s primary concern remained the safety of the community and the protection of vulnerable individuals from further harm.