Colchester: Man sentenced to 14 year for sexual offences against children

Christopher White, 37 of Mill Lane, Birch appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday, 22 June after he was found guilty of multiple sexual offences against children. 

An investigation into White after it was reported that he had been sexually exploiting young girls whilst working in a shop in Layer De Haye between 2007 and 2009.  

The victims, who were children at the time met White when they would visit the shop he worked in Layer de la Haye. White would regularly give the young girls sweets, cigarettes and alcohol in exchange for sexual activity. 

White was in his 20s at the time of the offences.

After his arrest in 2019, he was charged with two counts of rape of a child under 13, one count of sexual assault of a child under 13, one count of sexual assault of a child over 13, two counts of sexual activity with a child under 13 and one count of sexual activity with a child over 13. 

He was remanded into custody and on 19 May, was found guilty of all offences. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison. White must serve at least nine years and four months before being eligible for parole.

In a statement, one of the victim’s describes how “I spent years as an angry teenager, feeling unloved and broken but it never made sense back then. It wasn’t until I reported to the police that I discovered I was never in the wrong.

In a direct statement to White, the victim said “You made me endure a year of waiting for a trial and then a two week court process because you could not admit to the abuse you made me suffer. Now as an adult knowing the severity and reality of what you did and how you robbed me of my childhood and that it was in no way my fault, this was so hard to cope with.”

Another victim added how “Just because we have justice, doesn’t mean it’s forgotten. I have to live the rest of my life knowing this happened, it’s imprinted on me forever.”

The Judge KC Loram said how the effect on the victims lives remains heartbreaking. She added “It is tempting to call you pathetic but that would be wrong. You are manipulative, wholly self-centred and oblivious to how others man feel.”

Detective Inspector James Hardingham added “The victims of these crimes throughout this investigation have shown such bravery in reporting the matter and having to endure a court process.

“The pain and suffering they have gone through within their childhood will remain with them and their families for the remainder of their lives.

“We want the public to feel confident in reporting such incidents to Police with many worried they won’t be believed or justice will be done. Hopefully this sentencing will highlight the seriousness the police take these allegations and justice can be achieved.”