GLENN LANGRISH SENTENCED IN CRAWLEY FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AFTER 13-YEAR INTERNATIONAL MANHUNT
A man named Glenn Langrish, who committed heinous sexual offenses against a young boy during the 1980s and later relocated to Sweden, has finally been brought to justice after an extensive international investigation that spanned over a decade.The lengthy operation culminated in his conviction and sentencing at Hove Crown Court on Friday, 2 February.
Langrish, aged 74, also known by the alias Glenn Stephens, was sentenced to serve 15 years in prison for multiple child sex offenses.
Additionally, he will spend a further three years on licence following his release.
The court's decision underscores the severity of his crimes and the persistent efforts of law enforcement agencies to hold him accountable.
During the 1980s, Langrish was employed at ReeEven Hire, a lawnmower repair shop located in Crawley.
It was during this period that he began a disturbing pattern of abuse involving a young boy named Stephen Lewsey.
In 1983, Langrish initiated contact with the boy through shortwave radio communications, which eventually led to a meeting arranged between the two.
Stephen, then only 10 years old, started working weekends at the shop, where Langrish was employed.
Over the course of several years, Langrish repeatedly sexually assaulted Stephen during his visits to the shop and also when giving him lifts home.
The abuse persisted until 1989, when Langrish was incarcerated for unrelated child sex offenses.
After serving his sentence, he was released in 1994 and subsequently moved to Sweden, where he adopted the name Glenn Stephens.
It was not until 2011 that Stephen, now 51, reported the abuse to Sussex Police, prompting a comprehensive international investigation.
This effort involved multiple law enforcement agencies across different countries.
In 2016, Interpol identified Langrish as living in Vendelso, Sweden, where he held Swedish citizenship.
Despite being interviewed by Swedish authorities, he was protected from extradition due to his citizenship status.
An international arrest warrant was issued, and authorities kept a close watch on his movements.
In May 2023, the National Crime Agency alerted Sussex Police that Langrish was in Poland.
The Metropolitan Police’s extradition team successfully extradited him from Poland on 5 July 2023, and he was taken into custody at Heathrow Airport on the same day.
Following his arrest, Langrish faced multiple charges, including four counts of indecency with a child and four counts of indecent assault on a child.
He was subsequently tried at Chichester Crown Court, where he was found guilty on all counts.
The court's sentencing at Hove Crown Court confirmed that he must serve a minimum of nine years and eight months before being eligible for parole, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the efforts to ensure justice for his victims.
