Man jailed for sexually abusing a child in Gosport

A man has been handed a 17 and a half year prison sentence for a number of child sex offences in Gosport.

Lee Matthews, aged 39, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court for sentencing on Friday 22 November this year, having previously pleaded guilty to the following offences:

• Sexual assault by penetration of a child aged 13 or over
• Three counts of sexual assault
• Recording an image under clothing to observe another without consent (also known as ‘upskirting’)
• Production of an indecent image of a child on 4 June 2022.
• Making indecent images of children on 4 June 2022.

The assault offences all relate to a girl who was known to Matthews, and took place when the girl was under the age of 16 between 17 July and 19 July 2023.

The court heard that Matthews had also sought to blackmail and bribe the girl into not disclosing the abuse.

During the course of this investigation, police seized a mobile phone and a Samsung tablet from Matthews where they uncovered 70 category B images – one of which was a video – and 28 category C indecent images of a child.

Matthews, of Forton Road in Gosport, was given a 17 year and six month extended sentence, made up of 10 and a half years in prison and a 7 year extended licence period.

He was also handed an indefinite restraining order against the girl, an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and ordered to sign on to the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Passing sentence, His Honour Judge Ashworth remarked how Matthews took advantage of the girl and ‘exploited her trust’, and noted that Matthews had a ‘morbid and sexualised desire’ towards the child. The judge went on to say that Matthews’ actions would likely result in a mental violation that ‘outstrips and outlasts any physical harm’ caused to the girl.

DC David Sloan, from the Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “Lee Matthews is a dangerous individual who poses a clear threat to the wider public, particularly children.

“This catalogue of horrifying offences will have a devastating impact on the victim, who despite Matthews’ devious attempts to dissuade her from speaking out was able to bravely report this to police.

“Because of her courage, Matthews will now spend a lengthy period of time in prison, and will also be subject to an extended period on licence after the Judge determined that he was a particularly dangerous man.

“I hope this case provides confidence to anyone else who is being abused that police are here to support you and ensure those responsible for causing serious harm to children are brought to justice.”

We want to encourage anyone who has been affected by child sexual abuse to contact police on 101, where you can speak to an officer in confidence.

We recognise that not everyone has the confidence to talk to police about what they have experienced. Please be reassured that there are other services available that can offer you specialist support to help you deal with the impact of abuse.

For information and contact details relating to sexual abuse support services, you can visit our dedicated web page: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/support-for-victims-of-rape-and-sexual-assault/

You can also find out more about how to report, and seek support for child abuse here: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/caa/child-abuse/

Alternatively, contact Child Line on 0800 11 11, or if you are an adult who has been affected, you can call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.