CHELMSFORD MAN SIMON MORTIMER SENTENCED FOR DECADES-OLD CHILD SEX ABUSE IN ESSEX

In a case that has spanned over three decades, Simon Mortimer, a resident of Chelmsford, was finally brought to justice for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against a young girl during the early 1980s. The lengthy investigation, which drew criticism for its slow pace, culminated in Mortimer's conviction and sentencing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday, January 27.

Mortimer, now aged 46, was identified as the perpetrator of multiple sexual assaults that occurred between 1983 and 1985, when he was between 16 and 18 years old. The victim, who was between eight and ten years old at the time, endured a range of abuse that included inappropriate kissing, oral sex, digital penetration, and two attempted rapes. The charges against him encompassed nine counts of sexual abuse, with the court hearing detailed accounts of the victim's suffering.

Judge Emma Peters sentenced Mortimer to a prison term of seven years. During her remarks, she expressed her disapproval of the investigation’s sluggish progress, describing it as an “abomination.” She remarked, “The speed at which the investigation took place was an abomination. Here we are in 2017 being sentenced for something that was brought to the attention of police in 2013.” The judge emphasized the impact that the prolonged investigation had on both the victim and Mortimer’s family, noting that the delays had caused significant emotional distress.

The court was informed that Mortimer’s marriage had deteriorated during the four years since the proceedings began. He was restricted from having unsupervised contact with his children and eventually moved out of his family home, reflecting the personal toll of the case. In December, Mortimer was found guilty of four counts after pleading not guilty to them, having already admitted to four others. The court also heard that the victim had confided in her mother about the abuse in 1991 following counseling sessions. However, her family chose not to involve the police at that time, and the matter remained unresolved until the victim decided to report it in 2013.

Addressing Mortimer directly, Judge Peters, who resides in Huntingdon, stated, “These offences took place over a period of around 12 months. You would take advantage of her when you were alone.” She further described Mortimer as “emotionally immature,” possibly due to a serious heart operation he underwent as a child, which kept him out of school for an extended period. Despite this, the judge emphasized that Mortimer was fully aware of his actions, asserting, “You knew what you were doing.” She pointed out that even after starting his first adult relationship, Mortimer continued to abuse the girl, highlighting the deliberate nature of his misconduct.

Judge Peters acknowledged that Mortimer had led a seemingly “blameless life” in the 30 years following his offending. She described him as a “good family man,” a “hard-working individual,” and someone with a stable career. However, she also noted that his past actions had caused profound harm to many innocent people, including his own family. The judge praised Mortimer’s apparent remorse, describing it as “one of the most genuine cases of remorse this court has ever seen,” and pointed out that he had disclosed his offending to both his first and second wives, suggesting that he had carried this burden throughout his life.

Ultimately, Mortimer was sentenced to a total of seven years in prison, a punishment that reflects the gravity of his crimes and the long-standing impact they have had on his victim and family. The case has sparked discussions about the importance of timely investigations and justice for victims of childhood abuse, especially when the crimes span many years and involve complex emotional and legal challenges.