Man jailed for child sex offences in Essex and Suffolk
The offences took place between 2007 and 2011.
A man from Grays has been jailed for a series of non-recent child sex offences which took place in Essex and Suffolk.
Liam Roberts aged 31, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for 18 months at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday 24 April.
He was found guilty of 14 counts of sexual offences at a previous hearing.
At the trial he denied a total of 11 offences of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, one offence of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and two offences of attempted rape.
The offences took place between 2007 and 2011 when Roberts was a teenager. Roberts was charged with the offences in November 2022 after allegations first came to light in August 2021, when the two victims, who are now adults, found the courage to share the abuse.
He was also given a restraining order for a period of 5 years and to pay costs of £2500 within three months.
Investigating officer DC Kim Shrubsall said: “This conviction demonstrates that we will take action and investigate if you have been the victim of sexual abuse, regardless of how long ago the offences took place.
“I want to acknowledge the courage these victims have shown in reporting Roberts. It has been a long and challenging process for the victims to endure. It is testament to their bravery in coming forward. I only hope they feel they have some element of closure now that Roberts has been sentenced.
“Child abuse is often a hidden crime, and we work to ensure that the voice of the child is heard and concerns of abuse or neglect are reported and investigated. The Suffolk Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), which involves police, county council, education and health, among others works to address issues of risk of harm, abuse and neglect.”