Harwich: Man sentenced to ten years for sexual offences against children

Withers, 68 of Bowes Road, New Southgate appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday, 27 July where, following a week-long trial he was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of sexual offences against two children.

Withers was arrested in December 2020 after two victims bravely contacted Essex Police to report offences which took place between 2002 and 2020 in Harwich.

Following an investigation by our Child Abuse Investigation Team, Withers was charged with indecent assault of a girl under 13, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13 and assault of a girl under 13.

He pleaded not guilty and following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, was found guilty of all offences and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

In a victim impact statement, the mother and father of one of the victims describes how “the outcome of this abuse against our daughter and the rest of our family is devastating.

“It is undecided whether our little girl can move forward and push this to the back of her mind and return to the happy little girl she used to be. We hope that one day with the support agencies we are taking our little girl to, we can move on and learn how to build trust in others again.”

One of the brave victims has thanked Essex Police and her Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) from CARA who provide direct support for those surviving after sexual abuse:

“I was petrified coming forward to the police, the first report I made was back in 2011 but my life was different then and I did not have the strength to go forward with it.

“The whole process has been challenging, but worth it, I’d advise any survivors out there that has suffered and are still suffering from sexual abuse (child or adult) to come forward as it’s not as scary as it seems, I’ve been kept informed of the process throughout, I feel like I have been listened to, supported, and believed. 

“I would like to thank my ISVA Claire from CARA who has been absolutely amazing. She has been my rock and without her, this process would have been even more difficult to go through.

“I feel like this is the closure I need. Even though the thoughts will never go away and will live with me for the rest of my life, I can finally move on and be the strong woman I am today.”

Investigating officer, PC Shad Gulabkhan from our Child Abuse Investigation Team said: 

“This sentence is a direct result of the strength and bravery that these two victims have shown.

“The victims and their families have conducted themselves with such dignity and they should be so proud of themselves. We have worked closely with CARA, who as always provided empathy and support to the two victims and kept them updated as the investigation progressed.

“I hope that this sentencing means they can move forward and continue being as strong as they have throughout this whole process.”

Support is there for anyone affected by rape and sexual abuse, and no victim or survivor is alone. Synergy Essex provides specialist support for victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse of all ages and all genders across Essex, Thurrock and Southend.

 

Synergy Essex is a partnership of rape and sexual abuse centres in Essex: CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse), SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis).

 

Synergy Essex is independent from the police and provides support for victims and survivors throughout their journey.  

 

Victims and survivors can self-refer, or be referred by a parent, partner, friend or professional and can access specialist emotional support, counselling and advocacy.  For victims and survivors who report to the police, Synergy Essex provides an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service, providing support throughout the criminal justice process.  

For more information visit the Synergy Essex website: https://synergyessex.org.uk/