Andrew Evans, a 38-year-old former nursery worker, has been sentenced to over 14 years in prison for sexually assaulting two young children. Evans, who worked at a nursery in Church Road, Crowborough, between September 2021 and January 2022, was found guilty of multiple charges of sexual assault.
In March 2022, the family of a three-year-old boy reported to the police that their child had been sexually assaulted by Evans, known as ‘Andy’ at the nursery. Four months later, in July 2022, a three-year-old girl made similar allegations against him.
At the time of these reports, Evans was already serving a six-year and eight-month sentence for unrelated sexual offences against two other children. While in custody, he was charged with two counts of penetration of a girl under 13, one count of assault by touching of a girl under 13, and one count of assault by penetration of a boy under 13.
Evans initially pleaded guilty to assault by touching at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on 8 July. He later admitted to the three counts of sexual assault by penetration at Hove Crown Court on 27 August. On Wednesday, 18 December, he was sentenced at Hove Crown Court to 14 years and four months in prison, with an additional four years and eight months to be spent on extended licence.
Detective Constable Rebecca Wilde commented on the case, stating, “Andrew Evans was trusted by his young victims, their families and the nursery that employed him. He betrayed that trust in the most appalling ways. The children involved have shown incredible courage to report the abuses they suffered; both so young they struggled to fully articulate Evans’ vile behaviour. I would like to thank them, and their families, for their support during this incredibly difficult time. The nursery has fully cooperated with our investigation to help bring Evans to justice for his despicable actions, and helped to ensure ongoing safeguarding measures are in place. Evans will now spend a significant amount of time behind bars, where he can pose no further danger to children and the wider public.”
