SALLY DIXON'S SHOCKING CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN BEXHILL AND CRAWLEY LEAD TO WOMEN'S PRISON SENTENCE

In September 2022, a disturbing case unfolded involving Sally Dixon, a 58-year-old who was convicted of a series of heinous child sexual offenses committed during her years of living as a man. Despite her ongoing gender transition, Dixon was sentenced to a minimum of 12 years in prison and was designated to serve her sentence in a women’s correctional facility, raising questions about the legal and procedural implications of her gender status.

Born John Stephen Dixon in 1963, she began her gender transition in 2004 after two marriages. Her criminal activities spanned from 1989 to 1996, during which she targeted seven children, including both boys and girls, with her abuse occurring in the areas of Bexhill and Crawley. The youngest victim was only seven years old at the time of the offenses. Dixon’s crimes were uncovered after a victim came forward in 2019, prompting Sussex Police to reopen their investigation into her past offenses, which had previously gone unnoticed or unprosecuted.

During the trial at Lewes Crown Court in East Sussex, the jury deliberated for 17.5 hours before returning a guilty verdict on 30 counts of indecent assault or indecency with a child. The jury also found her not guilty on three additional charges. Prosecutor Ryan Richter described Dixon’s offending as a prolonged campaign of sexual abuse, highlighting her brazen and callous behavior. He explained that Dixon exploited her relationships with young males and systematically abused female children, cultivating a toxic environment that lasted over eight years.

Judge Van Der Zwart, presiding over the case, expressed regret that earlier opportunities to incarcerate Dixon had been missed. The court heard that Dixon, who was born as John Dixon, had a history of sexual misconduct, including a six-month jail sentence in 1997 for abusing a teenage boy. Despite her gender transition, she was not in possession of a Gender Recognition Certificate, a legal document that affirms a transgender person’s recognized gender. Nevertheless, she was sentenced to serve her time at HMP Bronzefield, a women’s prison, where she will serve at least 12 years before being eligible for parole.

During the sentencing hearing, Dixon appeared in court wearing a pink jumper and with dyed pink hair. She displayed visible signs of displeasure, scowling, frowning, and shaking her head as the judge delivered the verdict. The victims, now adults, provided harrowing statements describing the lasting trauma inflicted upon them. One woman recounted how her childhood abuse left her with persistent anxiety, expressing her disappointment that Dixon chose not to testify in his own defense, describing him as a coward who subjected his victims to a painful trial.

Dixon’s criminal activities were carried out in various locations around Crawley and Bexhill, including at a lock-up garage and in a caravan on the south coast. She worked locally as a TV repair technician and as a DJ at bars, clubs, and a caravan park, which facilitated her access to vulnerable children through family connections. She systematically exploited this trust to commit her offenses, some of which lasted for several months at a time. The pattern of abuse was only fully uncovered after one victim reported the crimes to police in 2019, revealing the extent of Dixon’s predatory behavior over many years.

In court, it was noted that Dixon’s actions often involved multiple victims simultaneously, with some children being abused at the same time or in quick succession. The judge emphasized that Dixon’s lack of a Gender Recognition Certificate did not prevent her from being sentenced to a women’s prison, and she will have access to the same opportunities as other female inmates. Dixon received consecutive nine-year sentences, along with two one-year extended licenses, ensuring she remains in custody for at least 12 years before any possibility of release. The case has brought to light complex issues surrounding gender identity and the legal system’s handling of transgender offenders involved in serious crimes.