REECE PETTITT BUSTED IN BROADBRIDGE HEATH: HORSHAM RAPE CASE SHOCKS COMMUNITY

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the town of Horsham and the surrounding area, a man named Reece Pettitt has been sentenced to prison for a serious sexual assault that took place in 2015. Pettitt, aged 20 and unemployed, residing on Charrington Way in Broadbridge Heath, was convicted in August of the rape of a teenage girl in Horsham.

According to police reports, Pettitt entered the girl’s private space uninvited, gaining access to her room without permission. Once inside, he proceeded to make unwanted sexual advances, despite her clear and repeated pleas for him to leave. The victim’s protests were ignored as Pettitt continued his assault, culminating in the rape that has now led to his conviction.

The sentencing took place at Lewes Crown Court on Friday, October 13, where Pettitt was handed a prison term of four and a half years. In addition to his incarceration, he will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, a measure that underscores the severity of his crime and the impact on the victim.

It is noteworthy that Pettitt was acquitted of another related charge—attempting to pervert the course of justice in Crawley in April of the previous year. This acquittal means that, despite the conviction for the rape, he was found not guilty of obstructing justice in that particular case.

Local authorities and law enforcement officials have emphasized the importance of justice for victims of sexual assault, and Pettitt’s case has highlighted ongoing concerns about safety and accountability within the community of Broadbridge Heath and Horsham as a whole.