WOMAN CONVICTED OF CHILD SEXUAL OFFENCES IN NORTHAMPTON
A 31-year-old has been convicted of 24 child sex offences in Northampton.Tracey Louise, formerly known as Joshua Bell, was found guilty of the crimes following an eight-day trial which ended at Northampton Crown Court last week.
The offences took place over a nine-year-period and involved four children aged 5-15 subjected to repeated incidents of sexual abuse.
The incidents came to light when the suspect attended a therapy group session and publicly admitted to them.
An investigation was launched by Northamptonshire Police with all four survivors bravely supporting a prosecution.
The suspect was arrested and eventually charged with seven counts of raping a child under 13, four counts of rape, ten counts of sexually assaulting a child under 13, and three counts of sexual assault.
And after just three hours of deliberation following a trial at Northampton Crown Court which ended on Wednesday, September 17, the jury delivered 24 guilty verdicts.
Lead investigator - Detective Constable Kirstie Brooks said: “I am so pleased that after such a long time, the survivors in this case were believed by the jury and can finally get some closure.
“Although nothing can erase the years of sustained sexual abuse they suffered, they have now got justice, and I want to thank them for their patience throughout our investigation and through the court process.
They have all been incredibly brave.
“Joshua Bell, now known as Tracey Louise, is a very dangerous individual who put these children through the most horrific ordeal and I am pleased that we have got these guilty verdicts and the victims can now try and move onto brighter things.”
