KARIM STUART AND SHOCKING CHILD ABUSE IN PORTSMOUTH AND SOUTHESEA

Karim Stuart, a 57-year-old man from Southsea, found himself at the center of a troubling case involving serious allegations of child abuse. The incident came to light when a young girl, under the age of thirteen, was called to give evidence via a prerecorded video at Portsmouth Crown Court. Despite the initial possibility of denial, Stuart was compelled to admit his guilt, acknowledging the charges against him.

As Stuart begins serving a lengthy prison sentence, the emotional toll on the victim's family has been profound. The mother of the young girl voiced her anguish and relief in an interview with The News, expressing that while she is grateful that the ordeal is finally over, she recognizes that the scars inflicted by the abuser will linger for the rest of their lives. She stated, "I'm glad it's over but I will never ever get over what he's done. It's a scar for life for me. I hope my daughter forgets it but I doubt she will. She understands what's happened."

The mother also recounted her daughter's emotional response upon viewing the prerecorded testimony. She revealed that her daughter must have realized during the recording that Stuart could not evade justice. The mother added, "Watching her tape, he must have realised that he can't get away with it. Even the jury walked out crying."

The young girl, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, has undergone a significant and distressing transformation following the abuse. Her mother described the profound impact of the incident, noting that her daughter has changed completely after what happened.

The court proceedings revealed that Stuart faced four counts of raping a female child under 13 and two counts of assault on a female child. Stuart had initially denied these charges, but the evidence and testimonies proved overwhelming.

Leading the investigation was Detective Constable Marie Duffy, who praised the bravery of the young victim for coming forward to report the abuse. The girl disclosed the assault to her mother in February of this year while on a train, breaking down as she recounted what had been done to her. Police reports confirmed that Stuart exploited the girl for his own sexual satisfaction.

Detective Con Duffy expressed her appreciation for the victim’s courage in confronting these horrific crimes, emphasizing that her bravery had a direct impact on bringing Stuart to justice. She also hoped that the sentence would facilitate some measure of closure for the young girl, allowing her to begin to heal from the trauma.

The case highlights the ongoing importance of vigilance and support for victims of child sexual abuse. Stuart was ultimately sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court to 18 years in prison by Judge Sarah Munro QC on December 20. His imprisonment serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness with which the court treats such offenses and the strong stance taken against offenders who exploit vulnerable children in Southsea and beyond.