Chelmsford: Man jailed for total of 13 years for sexual offences against two children
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Thanks to the work of dedicated Child Abuse Investigation Team officers, a man who denied abusing two girls has been jailed for 13 years and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.
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In December 2020, Essex Police received a report of sexual abuse of a child and an investigation was launched by CAIT, officers dedicated to investigating offences against children and safeguarding children.
As part of their investigation, Patrick Wakefield was arrested that same month.
During the examination of his digital devices, concerns were raised for another child.
Wakefield was re-arrested at his home address on 3 March 2021, and subsequently charged in connection with thirteen sexual offences relating to the two victims for offences that took place between 2013 and 2019.
Patrick Wakefield, 51 of Great Wakering, appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on 4 March 2021 but he denied the charges and elected to stand trial.
Following an eight day trial at Basildon Crown Court that started on 3 January, the jury found Patrick Wakefield guilty of all offences and sentenced him at the same court on Tuesday 14 February.
Patrick Wakefield was jailed for ten years imprisonment for the rape of a girl (victim one) and a further three years for causing / inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity (no penetration) against a second victim.
DC James Fowler, Child Abuse Investigation Team, investigating, said:
“Patrick Wakefield has been rightly jailed for his despicable actions. He acted in a completely abhorrent way towards his two victims, including forcing them to give evidence at his trial by denying any wrongdoing.
“Patrick Wakefield has been made a Registered Sex Offender and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order preventing him from going near children in the future will go some way to protecting other children.
“I want to praise both victims for their courage and bravery in coming forward and reporting their abuse to us, and in having the strength to give evidence at court, playing a part in stopping this man from offending against another child.
“They have stood strong throughout the judicial process with the love and support of their families. I would hope that this sentence will play some part in giving their families some form of closure.
“They have expressed their sincere thanks and gratitude to us for our hard work and dedication throughout the investigation, and for the support shown to their children.
“I would also like to urge other victims of abuse to come forward, to report any concerns and to know that they will be supported by our specialist teams.”