A girl was sexually abused by her grandfather, father and two brothers – and physically abused by her mother as well – a court was told today.
The girl, 13, from the Greater Brighton area, has since been taken into care while the five family members were arrested and charged.
Another family member, the girl’s uncle, was also arrested and charged, along with the girls’ mother, with trying to pervert the course of justice.
A jury at Hove Crown Court was told that the parents had also assaulted and neglected another daughter who has also been taken into care.
Most of the charges followed the abuse of the older girl and a jury convicted the six defendants of 39 out of the total of 42 charges that they faced.
Judge Christine Henson is due to sentence all six at a hearing next year.
Jennifer Knight, prosecuting, told the court: “Her father hit her regularly, both with his bare hands and with many other implements as well, including a horse-whip which he kept in the shed.
“He also burned her, with cigarettes, as well as spitting in her face and pulling her hair.”
The trial started on Monday 15 September and lasted four weeks, with the jury returning their verdicts on Friday (10 October).
Today (Monday 13 October), Sussex Police said: “Six defendants have been found guilty of 39 offences including rape, sexual assault, child cruelty and perverting the course of justice against two girls in their family.
“Both victims, who have a legal right to anonymity and who must not be identified, have received support from specially trained officers and partner agencies.
“The first victim disclosed the abuse she had suffered from her family to a member of staff at her school.
“She described examples of rape and serious sexual assault by her father, grandfather and her two brothers and child cruelty by her mother.
“Her younger sister reported being assaulted and neglected by her parents. Meanwhile, the girls’ uncle was charged with perverting the course of justice.”
Detective Superintendent Andrew Harbour said: “This has been a complex investigation that has had a profound impact on the two victims.
“Our priority continues to be ensuring their welfare and safeguarding in this highly traumatic and distressing case.
“We have worked alongside partner agencies to ensure the ongoing safeguarding of the young victims.
“Tackling violence against women and girls is a top priority for Sussex Police. We encourage all victims of rape and serious sexual offences to report their experience to us.
“Our officers have been determined to get justice in this case and we are pleased with the guilty verdicts returned by the jury.
“We urge the public not to speculate about the case online as this may jeopardise the victims’ legal right to anonymity.”
The girls’ father, 43, was convicted of
- five counts of rape of a child under 13
- one count of sexual assault by penetration of a child under 13
- three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13
- one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
- three counts of cruelty to a person under 16
The girls’ mother, also 43, was convicted of
- four counts of cruelty to a person under 16
- two counts of false imprisonment
- one count of perverting the course of justice
The grandfather, 70, was convicted of
- one count of sexual assault by penetration of a child under 13
- two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13
One brother, 23, was convicted of
- four counts of rape of a child under 13
- one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
- two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Another brother, 20, was convicted of
- four counts of rape of a child under 13
- two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13
- one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
- one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm
The girls’ uncle, 49, was convicted of one count of perverting the course of justice.
