August 2014 Man gets 18 years for sex offences against teenage girl A man from Hastings has been convicted of 13 counts of sexual offences and has been jailed. Trevor Platt, 44, a business-owner, of Sheerwater Crescent, Hastings, was found guilty of 13 charges following a two-week trial at Hove Crown Court. On Tuesday he was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment. Platt was arrested in March 2013 when police received a report that a girl under 18, who is known to him, had been abused by Platt between 2006 and 2013. He was charged with five offences of sexual touching, seven of rape, and one of causing child abuse imagery involving a child. Detective constable Darren Jones said: “We have been supporting the victim since she bravely spoke out about the abuse she suffered by Platt. Platt has been found guilty of these offences and will spend a considerable time in prison. “We urge anyone to come forward and speak to us about sexual abuse. We will take you seriously and do everything we can to support you and investigate. Please contact us on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk”