Darren Sibley, a 40-year-old construction worker from St Leonards, has been sentenced to a prison term exceeding 15 years for the sexual abuse of a young girl.
The series of assaults, which targeted a child under the age of 13, occurred from 2011 to 2016. The abuse was exposed when, in 2020, a friend of the victim courageously reported Sibley’s actions to the Sussex Police.
Following the report, officers reached out to the victim, initiating an investigation supported by specialists in the field.
Sibley was apprehended and faced multiple charges, including five counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of attempted sexual assault of a child under 13. He also faced charges for assaulting an emergency worker and failing to surrender to custody.
During the trial at Hove Crown Court on October 24, 2023, Sibley was convicted of three sexual offences. He admitted guilt to the assault on an emergency worker and to failing to surrender.
On January 8, at Lewes Crown Court, the court imposed a 15-year and three-month prison sentence on Sibley. Additionally, he was subjected to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order to significantly reduce the risk of reoffending. A restraining order has been issued to protect the victim, and Sibley will be registered as a sex offender for life.
