ANDREW PETTITT FROM BILDSTOWN SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IN IPSWICH

In a case that has shocked the local community of Bildeston and the surrounding areas, Andrew Pettitt, aged 51, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for serious sexual offenses committed against a young girl over two decades ago. The offences, which only recently came to light, involved a prolonged period of abuse that spanned three years, during which the victim was between the ages of five and eight.

According to the proceedings at Ipswich Crown Court, the victim, now in her twenties, decided to come forward and report the abuse, prompting a police investigation. Prosecutor Godfried Duah detailed that Pettitt had not only sexually assaulted the girl but also recorded indecent video footage of her within his home. The court heard that during a police search of Pettitt’s residence on Brooksfield in Bildeston, authorities seized his computer and uncovered a collection of indecent images depicting children.

Pettitt faced multiple charges, including four counts of indecent assault, four counts of making indecent images of children, and one count of possessing indecent images. He pleaded guilty to all charges. Judge John Devaux, presiding over the case, sentenced Pettitt to three and a half years in prison. In his remarks, the judge referenced a detailed four-page statement from the victim, which described the profound and lasting impact the abuse had on her life. Judge Devaux emphasized that many of her current psychological issues could be traced back to the trauma inflicted by Pettitt.

In addition to his prison sentence, Pettitt was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely, a measure that underscores the severity of his crimes. He was also disqualified from working with children and was placed under a sexual offences prevention order, restricting his activities and contact with minors.

During the hearing, Pettitt’s defense lawyer, Marc Brown, argued that the indecent images found on Pettitt’s computer were pseudo-images, asserting that no direct harm had been caused to any individual. Brown also stated that the video footage of the victim, which Pettitt had recorded, had been destroyed many years ago and was never shared with anyone else. Furthermore, Brown highlighted that Pettitt had been left disabled following a motorcycle accident in which he lost a leg. He claimed that Pettitt was aware of his unhealthy interest in children and was seeking help to address his issues.

Brown also mentioned the social consequences Pettitt faced, noting that due to the publicity surrounding his case, he had been ostracized by his local community. His car had been vandalized, and he believed he would never be able to return to the village where he previously resided. The case has left a lasting scar on the community of Bildeston and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children and ensuring justice for victims of abuse.