Sompting couple jailed for serious sex offences against children

A couple from Sompting have been given long prison sentences for serious sex offences involving children, a Sussex Police spokesperson has confirmed.
Sussex Police image of Sompting couple jailed for sex offences involving a childSussex Police image of Sompting couple jailed for sex offences involving a child
Sussex Police image of Sompting couple jailed for sex offences involving a child

Lucy Anne Wolfe, 28, a baker, and Damion Gaul, 39, unemployed, both of The Parade, Cokeham Road, Sompting, appeared at Chichester Crown Court on Friday (November 25) having pleaded guilty at previous hearings earlier this year, the spokesperson said.

Wolfe admitted multiple offences relating to engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, taking indecent images of a child, and sexual assault by penetration of a child, said the spokesperson.

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Gaul also admitted four offences relating to engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, taking indecent images of a child, sexual assault by penetration of a child, and failing to comply with the requirements of a Registered Sexual Offender order, the spokesperson said.

Gaul was sentenced to life imprisonment with a requirement to serve at least seven years before being eligible to be considered for parole, confirmed the spokesperson.

If he is released he will be subject to a lifelong licence condition preventing his access to children, the spokesperson added.

Wolfe was sentenced to ten years imprisonment with an extended licence period of eight years after eventual release, confirmed the spokesperson, adding that she will also need to serve at least six and a half years before being eligible to be considered for parole.

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She will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for an indefinite period, severely restricting her access to children and computers, the spokesperson said.

They will also be registered sex offenders for life, according to the spokesperson.

In sentencing, Judge Christopher Parker QC described both Gaul and Wolfe as dangerous offenders posing a significant risk to children, the spokesperson said.

Detective Constable Martin Harmer of the Sussex Police Paedophile On-Line Investigation Team (POLIT) said; “The investigation began when we received information about indecent images on the Internet.”

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He said that Gaul was arrested and the subsequent forensic examination of the computer equipment seized from his address identified serious sexual offences against a very young child.

“Following extensive work by our POLIT victim identification unit were able to quickly identify and safeguard the child concerned,” he said.

“We also identified Gaul’s girlfriend Wolfe who was also promptly arrested.

“Both were charged and remanded in custody following two days of interviews.

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“Detective Constable Jackie Keogh and I worked closely with Detective Constable Paul Voigt from the force’s Complex Abuse Unit and with Sacha Titherly from the victim ID unit, to trace all children known to have had access to Gaul and Wolfe.

“These enquiries have not indicated evidence of any further victims.

“The defendants initially refused to admit the offences and consequently specialist help was required to identify their hands using biometric analysis.

“When presented with this compelling analysis the defendants changed their pleas.

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“These offenders have shown little remorse for their offending and pose a significant threat to children.

“The sentence handed down to them clearly shows the seriousness of the offence and the danger they pose to the public.”

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