SIMON ARCHER JAILED IN WELLING FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN

On March 28, 2011, a 23-year-old man named Simon Archer from Belvedere was sentenced to prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting two young boys in a Welling McDonald's.

Archer was found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court of one count of oral rape and two counts of penetration involving a seven-year-old boy and his four-year-old brother. The court sentenced him to an indeterminate sentence for public protection, meaning he will serve a minimum of seven years before being eligible for parole. He will also remain on the sex offenders register for life.

The incident occurred on Sunday, July 4, the previous year, around 2:30 pm, while the boys' father was inside the restaurant with their other siblings. Archer, who was bare-chested and has a prior conviction for sexual activity involving young children, entered the toilets and began his assault on the brothers. The attack only ended when the four-year-old fallen to the floor crying, prompting Archer to leave.

The attack was only discovered days later after the boys’ mother suggested they return to the same restaurant for a meal. When they refused and became upset, she inquired about their distress, and they revealed what had happened.

Acting Detective Inspector Jon Summers from Sapphire, the unit investigating sexual assaults, commented: “Simon Archer is a dangerous person who has previously committed sexual offences against strangers. I am pleased that he has been jailed today. We cannot rule out the possibility that he may have committed crimes against others, and I would urge anyone who has been a victim of a sex crime to contact the police. This incident has had a devastating effect on his very young victims and their family, who showed immense fortitude and courage in coming forward.”