Man jailed for non-recent child sex offences in Waterlooville

A man who repeatedly sexually assaulted a girl in Waterlooville between 1987 and 1994 has been jailed for 8 years.

Stephen Martin Tracey, 65, of Skiddaw, Rugby in Warwickshire appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 17 May, where he was sentenced for three counts of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child, which took place between January 1987 and February 1994.

Tracey was found guilty on Thursday 28 March following a four-day trial at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Tracey came to police attention in 2022 when the victim, who was aged between 9 and 15 at the time of the offences, came forward to report the sexual abuse, which took place at a number of addresses in Waterlooville.

During the sentence hearing, the judge said that the offences fell in to the highest category of seriousness of sexual offences and that Tracey was an offender of particular concern due to the nature of the offending. He stated that Tracey caused severe psychological harm to the victim.

Speaking afterwards, officer in the case Detective Sergeant Samantha Brown from the Operation Amberstone team said “I cannot commend the victim in this case enough for the incredible bravery she has shown, not only in coming forward, but throughout this investigation and the resulting trial.

“Whilst no sentence will ever truly be able to give this woman her life back or the justice she deserves, we hope that today’s results, and knowing that Tracey will finally be behind bars, bring some degree of resolution to a horrific ordeal that started over 30 years ago.

“We also hope that today’s result reflects the seriousness with which we treat all reports of this kind and gives other victims of child sexual abuse the courage to come forward. We do however recognise that not everyone has the confidence to speak to police, but there are 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 or email [email protected]. Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111.”