Southampton man sentenced after being found guilty of child sex offences

A Southampton man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison in connection with sexual offences against three young victims in the city.

 

Simon Parker, 36, of Parry Road, appeared at Southampton Crown Court on Friday (16 February) after a jury found him guilty of seven offences – two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, two counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of assault of a child and one count of sexual communications with a child.

 

The court heard how Parker committed the offences against three girls who were aged between 11 and 14.

 

He was arrested when the girls involved told police what had happened and was subsequently charged with a number of child sex offences, which he denied. The case went to trial and a jury found him guilty of seven offences on Monday 12 February.

 

He has now been sentenced to 16 years in prison, and has been ordered to register as a sex offender, as well as receiving a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, both of which will be in place for the rest of his life.

 

Detective Constable Ella Knight, of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Child Abuse Investigations Team, who led the investigation, said: “This was a complex investigation and we are thankful that Parker will now have to face the consequences of his selfish, opportunistic and predatory crimes. I must thank the victims for coming forward and trusting us with the details of what happened to them at the hands of Parker – it is their courage and bravery which means that justice has now been served and Parker cannot do this to anybody else.

 

“I sincerely hope that this sentence begins to bring some closure to those he has affected, whose worlds have understandably been turned upside down by what has happened to them. I also hope that it helps others who have suffered similar abuse to find the confidence to come forward and speak to the police knowing their voices will be heard and that there is support available.”

Anyone who has any concerns about child abuse should contact us on 101, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

We recognise that not everyone has the confidence to speak to police, but there is support services available that can help you if you are a victim of abuse.

Anyone who has experienced abuse in childhood, or is concerned about a child, can contact the NSPCC helpline, confidentially, on 0808 800 5000. Alternatively, you can email [email protected]. Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111.

As a survivor of sexual abuse, you’re entitled to support, whether you report the crime or not. You can access different types of support depending on how you’re feeling and what you decide to do next.

Please follow the below link for more information:

Support for rape and sexual assault | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary