SIMON FLEET FROM CARBROOKE SENTENCED TO 13 YEARS FOR RAPE NEAR WATTON

In a case that has shocked the local community of Carbrooke and the surrounding areas near Watton, Simon Fleet, a 34-year-old former prison officer, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 13 years after being convicted of the heinous crime of raping a 12-year-old girl. The incident took place in July 2012, and the court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the case.

Fleet, who previously worked at Wayland jail near Watton, was found guilty of raping the young girl and also of sexually assaulting her. The Norwich Crown Court heard that the girl, who was just a few weeks shy of her 13th birthday at the time of the assault, was left profoundly traumatized by the ordeal. Despite denying the charges, Fleet was convicted following a trial, although the jury acquitted him of four additional rape charges and two other sexual assault allegations involving the same girl.

During the sentencing hearing, Richard Potts, the prosecutor, read out an impact statement from the victim. She described suffering from nightmares and requiring ongoing counseling as a direct result of Fleet’s actions. The girl’s statement conveyed a sense of devastation, with her expressing that Fleet had “destroyed her life.” The court was told that her mental health had been severely affected, and her childhood had been marred by this traumatic experience.

In delivering the sentence, Recorder Katharine Moore emphasized the gravity of Fleet’s offending behavior. She stated, “It was on any view an extremely grave piece of offending behaviour. No sentence I impose can undo the harm you have done.” The judge also highlighted the devastating impact on the victim, describing the consequences as “devastating.”

Furthermore, Fleet was ordered to be placed on the sex offender’s register for life and was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order. This order explicitly prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with girls under the age of 16, aiming to prevent any future harm.

John Morgans, representing Fleet, described him as a hardworking family man, attempting to present a different side of his character. However, the court was reminded of the serious nature of the crimes committed, which overshadowed any such character references. The judge acknowledged that the prison sentence would be particularly heavy for Fleet, recognizing the severity of his actions and their lasting impact on the victim.