26/02/2010

Child Sex Offender Jailed

A man was sentenced to a total of 12 years' imprisonment at the Inner London Crown Court yesterday, following a conviction for sex offences.

Stephen Pettican, 54, of School Hill, Lanjeth, St Austell committed the offences against two children between 1978 and 1981 whilst living in Brent.

He was previously found guilty on Thursday 4 February of a number of sexual offences.

He was also issued a Sexual Offences Prevention Order preventing him from working, living or having contact with children. He is also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

DS Debbie Moore of the Scotland Yard's Child Abuse Investigation Team said: "Stephen Pettican abused these two children who trusted him at a time they were vulnerable due to their mother's illness.

"He subjected them to systematic sexual abuse over a period of four years which left them traumatized, the effects of which they are still learning to live with to this day."

She added: "I would like to thank them for having the courage to come forward with the information that has enabled Pettican to be convicted, and I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault to report it to police, however long ago it happened."

(PR/BMcC)

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