CHRISTOPHER BROCK FROM THAKEHAM SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD SEX ABUSE IN SUSSEX

In a case that has shocked the local community and brought to light the devastating impact of long-term child abuse, Christopher Brock, a 67-year-old resident of Thakeham, was convicted of a series of heinous crimes committed against three young girls over a span of 16 years in Sussex. The abuse, which took place during the 1980s and 1990s, involved multiple acts of sexual assault and gross indecency, leaving deep scars on the victims' lives.

At Brighton Crown Court, a jury found Brock guilty of 20 separate counts related to his criminal conduct. These charges included indecent assault, acts of gross indecency with a child, and inciting acts of gross indecency. The victims, whose identities are protected by law to preserve their privacy, were as young as six years old when the abuse began. One of the victims shared her emotional testimony, describing the overwhelming feelings of shame she continues to grapple with and how the trauma has persisted into her adult life.

Judge Mark Van Der Zwart sentenced Brock to 13 years in prison. The judge emphasized the severity of the crimes and the danger Brock poses to society, stating that he must serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole. This means Brock will spend more than eight and a half years behind bars before any consideration for release.

Prosecutor Jennifer Gray highlighted the extensive duration of the abuse, noting that if some of the charges were prosecuted today, they would be classified as rape of a child, underscoring the gravity of Brock’s actions. The judge acknowledged that, despite character references, Brock’s true nature was hidden behind closed doors, and he had used his position of trust to exploit vulnerable children.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Van Der Zwart condemned Brock’s actions, stating, “The jury found you guilty of 20 counts of sexual offences, many of which involved multiple incidents of abuse. Most of your victims were just little girls, entitled to protection from harm, but instead, you used them repeatedly to satisfy your own sexual desires. You robbed them of their childhoods and innocence, and the psychological damage inflicted has left lasting scars.”

The judge further explained that the victims’ ability to trust adults and form healthy relationships had been severely compromised. He described Brock’s inability to control his urges, which he said was driven by a desire for sexual thrill despite the risk of being caught.

All three victims demonstrated remarkable bravery by reliving their traumatic experiences during the trial, with the judge commending their dignity in the face of Brock’s denials and accusations of lying. “Every word they said was true,” he affirmed.

Christopher Brock, who resides on Coolham Road in Thakeham near Pulborough, will serve a minimum of two-thirds of his 13-year sentence before a parole board reviews his case to determine if he is safe to be released. This effectively means he will spend more than eight and a half years in prison. Additionally, Brock will be registered as a sex offender for life, face an extra year on his license, and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order designed to restrict his access to children and prevent further harm.