Family sentenced for sustained abuse of two young girls in West Sussex
The father, grandfather and two brothers of the girls were jailed for a range of offences including rape and cruelty
Six family members have been sentenced for 39 offences, including rape, sexual assault, child cruelty, and perverting the course of justice, involving two young girls in West Sussex.
The abuse was first disclosed by the older victim to a member of staff at her school in January 2025, detailing severe assaults by her father, grandfather, two brothers, and cruelty from her mother.
Her younger sister later reported similar neglect and assault.
The victims have a legal right to anonymity.
Initially, the wider family attempted to pressure the girls into withdrawing their evidence.
However, the six were charged with 42 offences.
Following a trial that began in September, they were found guilty of 39 charges and sentenced at Hove Crown Court on 6 February.
Sussex Police have safeguarded the identities of the victims by not naming the defendants, referring to them by their relationships instead.
The father, aged 44, received 28 years in prison, with an additional five years added to his licence, for offences, including rape of a child under 13 and cruelty.
The mother, aged 43, was sentenced to ten-and-a-half years for charges including cruelty to a person under 16 and false imprisonment.
The grandfather, aged 70, received nine years, plus an additional year on his licence for sexual assault charges.
The elder brother, aged 24, faced four counts of rape of a child under 13, among other offences, adding three and a half years to his existing sentence.
The younger brother, aged 21, was sentenced to nine and a half years for similar charges.
The uncle, aged 49, was convicted of perverting the course of justice and sentenced to three years in prison.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Harbour commented on the investigation, stating that it had a "profound and ongoing impact on the two young victims."
He expressed appreciation for the victims' courage and emphasized that their voices were heard, resulting in significant custodial sentences.
Harbour reiterated Sussex Police's commitment to bringing offenders to justice and urged the public to report abuse.
Harbour cautioned against online speculation to protect the victims’ anonymity.