A Hastings man has been given a prison sentence totalling 16 years after being convicted of sexual offences against a young girl over four years.

Mark Greenfield, 47, an electrical contractor, now of Elphinstone Road, Hastings, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court yesterday (July 9th).

He had been convicted at the same court on April 15th after an eight-day trial, of five counts of rape and one of indecent assault against the girl, then aged between 11 and 15, between 1998 and 2003.

He will also be a registered sex offender indefinitely and was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to last for 16 years, severely restricting his access to children.

Detective Constable Anton Affonso of the East Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit said: “Greenfield, then in his 20s, came to know his young victim because their families knew each other, and for several years he systematically and secretly abused her for his own sexual gratification. The abuse only ended when she eventually had a boyfriend and was able to spend more time away from Greenfield.

“Over the years of suffering in silence I struggled with depression, anxiety and panic attacks.”

“But his offending has had a major impact on her life ever since, and only in the past few years has she been able to come to terms with her terrible experience sufficiently to acknowledge it and to support our investigation.

“She was clearly scared of the defendant and also the fallout that coming forward could cause. It was not easy for her to do but once she managed to take that step she remained committed and the person who has negatively affected her life for so long is now behind bars.

“Police do take historic crimes like this very seriously and will investigate them, bringing offenders to justice where possible.”

In her Victim Statement, read out in court, the victim said: “Speaking out about sexual abuse is very hard as a victim, but by breaking the silence perpetrators can be brought to justice no matter how long ago it happened. I finally spoke out after many years of living with it alone.

“Over the years of suffering in silence I struggled with depression, anxiety and panic attacks. I suffered with very bad nightmares all of these I still struggle with daily. I have been traumatised and scared by Mark Greenfield’s actions.”

For further information and advice about how to report such offending and support services available, see the Sussex Police website.