Hastings man jailed for sexual offences against young girl

Mark Greenfield, 47, an electrical contractor, now of Elphinstone Road, Hastings, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court today (Friday, July 9).

Police said he had been convicted at the same court on April 15 after an eight-day trial, of five counts of rape and one of indecent assault against the girl, who was under the age of 16.

He will also be a registered sex offender indefinitely and was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to last for 16 years, severely restricting his access to children, according to police.

Detective Constable Anton Affonso of the East Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit said Greenfield’s offending has had ‘a major impact on (his victim’s) life ever since’, and only in the past few years has she been able to come to terms with her terrible experience sufficiently to acknowledge it and to support Sussex Police’s investigation.

He added: “She was clearly scared of the defendant and also the fallout that coming forward could cause. It was not easy for her to do but once she managed to take that step she remained committed and the person who has negatively affected her life for so long is now behind bars.

“Police do take historic crimes like this very seriously and will investigate them, bringing offenders to justice where possible.”

In her victim impact statement, read out in court, the victim said: “Speaking out about sexual abuse is very hard as a victim, but by breaking the silence perpetrators can be brought to justice no matter how long ago it happened. I finally spoke out after many years of living with it alone.

“Over the years of suffering in silence I struggled with depression, anxiety and panic attacks. I suffered with very bad nightmares all of these I still struggle with daily. I have been traumatised and scared by Mark Greenfield’s actions.”