Following an appeal, a North Heath Paedophile Ian Elliott already imprisoned for sexually abusing several young men has had his term increased.
Between 1999 and 2021, Ian Elliott, 71, of North Heath, close to Pulborough, was accused of 92 offences against six victims in West Sussex.
Ian Elliott pleaded guilty to 43 charges against four victims, initially imprisoned for 18 years at Hove Crown Court in February, with another five to be spent on licence.
That sentence was appealed for excessive leniency. The Court of Appeal maintained the appeal on Thursday, May 16, extending Ian Elliott’s sentence to 27 years in jail with another five to be spent on an extended licence.
Detective Constable Victoria Ashworth Kirkby said: “While we attempted to secure the justice Ian Elliott deserves, his victims have shown fantastic resilience to support these protracted investigations.
“They have to live with Ian Elliott’s misdeeds all of their life. Elliott is probably going to spend his whole life in jail.
“I want to applaud every one of them for their tenacity; maybe this outcome gives them at least some closure.
We think Ian Elliott might have more victims. Please report to us online or via 101, mentioning Operation Ridge, if you or someone you know believes you are a victim.
“You may also anonymously report offences to Crimestoppers using 0800 555 111 or their website www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”
Detective Superintendent Miles Ockwell said: “Elliott has exhibited no regret throughout this process, trying instead to deflect blame onto his victims and dodge prosecution for his crimes.
“He betrayed the confidence of a whole community while hiding in plain sight, destroying the lives of his victims and their families.
“I will once more seize this chance to honour the bravery of Ian Elliott’s victims who volunteered to support the inquiry.
The damage he has done cannot be undone with whatever prison sentence. However, lengthening his prison term indicates our will to obtain victims the justice they are due.
“Please let the police know whether you or anyone you know is a victim of sexual offences. You will be supported and believed in.
Ian Elliott would gain the confidence of his sixteen-year-old victims as well as their families.
Known in the community, Ian Elliott also oversaw the local sports association and participated in neighbourhood social events.
After giving his victims drugs and alcohol to stupefying or overwhelming them, he would then treat them to rape and severe sexual assaults.
Ian Elliott himself filmed a lot of the attacks. Investigating cops found footage that Elliott tried to trash but utilised in evidence against him.
September 2022 saw his arrest; his victims received specialised help while the inquiry was underway.
Ian Elliott was charged and sent to prison in November 2022. Among the 92 individual charges he was accused of were 13 rapes, three attempted rapes, 13 sexual assaults, and 20 acts of voyeurism.
Ian Elliott entered a guilty plea to 11 counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, 17 counts of voyeurism, eight sexual assaults, four counts of possession of Class A, B, and C drugs, one count of causing actual bodily harm and one count of attempting to pervert the course of justice at Lewes Crown Court on Thursday, 2 November 2023.
The guilty pleas concerning four victims, ages sixteen to twenty-eight, at the time of the acts.
There will be a further 38 charges on file; 11 were not presented by the Crown Prosecution Service but are covered by the sentencing authority derived from the other convictions.
He will be a lifetime registered sex offender and received an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order as well.
HHJ Gold said Ian Elliott had shown “not a trace of empathy” and had an “innate sense of superiority” over his victims when passing sentence on February 22.
Ian Elliott breached the threshold for dangerousness according to HHJ Gold’s listing of his notable degree of planning, use of intoxicants, betrayal of confidence, recording of the offending and attempts to erase the evidence as aggravating elements.
One of Ian Elliott’s victims told Sussex Police in a statement: “Mr Ian Elliott is now in prison because a couple of courageous men decided to speak up. If one thing this case has taught me is to follow your gut feeling and not hesitate to report suspected abuse.
“Don’t let your abuser win, whatever the result is or how long it takes. Please pick up the phone and report it to the police, or at the very least, don’t keep it to yourself and inform someone.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.