Ipswich man sentenced for rape and sexual assaults against children

He'll also have to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life

Author: Sian RochePublished 10th Dec 2024

A man from Ipswich has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, after being found guilty of a series of rapes and sexual assaults against children.

80-year-old Charles Eaton, of Gannet Road, was found guilty of the offences during an eight-day trial at Ipswich Crown Court in October.

He was sentenced in the same court on 6th December.

The charges relate to a series of incidents between 1974 and 1988.

Eaton raped a girl under the age of 16 between 1977 and 1982, two indecent assaults took place between 1974 and 1980 and four further offences of gross indecency occurred between 1974 and 1988.

In addition to a prison term, Eaton must spend six years on licence and sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

He'll also have to submit to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.

"Dreadful crimes"

Det Sgt Elizabeth Allen, of Suffolk Police’s Internet Child Abuse Investigation team, said: “These were dreadful crimes against victims who were children at the time of the offences.

"I am pleased that the sentence passed in court reflects that. I also want to pay tribute to the victims who have had to endure a trial but at least they can now see that justice has been done after all these years.”

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