EUGENE AYRES FROM WISBECH SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON SCHOOLGIRL

In a case that has shocked the community of Wisbech, a 61-year-old man named Eugene Ayres has been sentenced to prison after grooming and sexually assaulting a young schoolgirl. The disturbing sequence of events began on New Year’s Day in 2016, when Ayres, who was in a position of trust within the community, initiated contact with the girl through a messaging application.

Over the course of several months, Ayres systematically built a relationship with the girl, gaining her trust and establishing a friendship that appeared innocent at first. However, the situation took a darker turn when the girl’s mother discovered the messages exchanged between her daughter and Ayres. Concerned for her child's safety, she intervened by banning the pair from communicating. Despite this, Ayres and the girl resumed their contact shortly afterward, this time using fake names to evade detection.

As their communication continued, Ayres began to send increasingly suggestive and sexually explicit content, crossing boundaries that should never have been breached. The situation escalated further when Ayres arranged to meet the girl in person with the apparent intent of engaging in sexual activity. The girl, feeling uncomfortable and distressed, confided in a teacher about the assault, which prompted immediate action from authorities.

Following the disclosure, Ayres took the step of surrendering himself at a local police station. During legal proceedings, he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child, acknowledging his misconduct. His guilty plea was entered at an earlier hearing, and today, March 9, he was formally sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court.

In addition to his imprisonment, Ayres was subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which imposes restrictions aimed at protecting the public from future harm. Furthermore, he was placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to prevent any further offenses. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and safeguarding measures to protect vulnerable individuals from predatory behavior within communities like Wisbech.