BRIGHTON SEX OFFENDER ROBERT CAMERON WELLS SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR CHILD AND WOMEN'S SEX CRIMES

A former medical professional from Brighton has been handed a life sentence in prison after being found guilty of a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against women and children, some as young as eight years old. Robert Cameron Wells, aged 69, who previously worked as a doctor, appeared before Hove Crown Court where he admitted to committing 16 separate offenses. In addition to his admissions, Wells was convicted in July of three more charges, bringing the total number of his known crimes to 19.

The criminal acts attributed to Wells span a period from 1996 to 2002 and cover multiple locations across the south of England, including Brighton, West Sussex, Hampshire, and the West Midlands. His history of sexual misconduct is extensive; he had previously served time in prison in 2004 and 2017 for similar offenses and had been removed from the medical register, effectively ending his medical career.

During the sentencing hearing held on Monday, the court was informed that Wells would serve a minimum of 17 years behind bars before being eligible for parole. The seriousness of his crimes was underscored by statements from law enforcement officials, notably Detective Constable Owen Watkins, who described Wells as a serial sexual predator. Watkins emphasized that Wells exploited his professional status as a doctor to gain the trust of his victims, making his crimes even more egregious.

The charges against Wells included multiple counts of indecent assault, two counts of rape, and four counts of taking indecent photographs of a child. Police investigations revealed disturbing details, including an incident in 1998 at Wells’s surgery in Portslade, where he attacked a teenage girl. Further allegations detailed assaults on women and girls in various locations, including Coventry, the West Midlands, Brighton, and Southampton, all occurring between 2001 and 2002.

Additional allegations involved indecency with an eight-year-old boy and an attempt to possess a child’s indecent image in West Sussex in 1998. Authorities believe that Wells used drugs as a means to manipulate and control his victims, further complicating the case. The investigation was spearheaded by the West Sussex safeguarding unit, which meticulously gathered evidence leading to his conviction and subsequent sentencing.

Wells’s pattern of abuse and exploitation has left a lasting impact on his victims and the community. His actions, carried out over several years and across multiple regions, highlight the dangers posed by individuals who abuse positions of trust and authority. The court’s decision to impose a life sentence reflects the severity of his crimes and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to protect vulnerable populations from predators like Wells.