LEE HEWITT ERITH CHILD RAPIST SENTENCED TO 13 YEARS IN PRISON

On October 4, 2011, Lee Hewitt, a 31-year-old man residing on Canada Road in Erith, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offenses involving young girls. The case was heard at Maidstone Crown Court, where Hewitt faced charges that included rape, indecent assault, indecency with a child, and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor under the age of 13.

Over the course of a two-and-a-half-week trial, the jury was presented with harrowing evidence detailing Hewitt’s repeated abuse of two young girls. The abuse spanned over a decade, beginning in 1993 and continuing until 2004. One of the victims was only five years old when the abuse commenced, highlighting the disturbing nature of the crimes and the vulnerability of the victims.

During the proceedings, Judge Philip Statman acknowledged the bravery of the victims who testified, describing their willingness to speak out as extremely courageous. The judge remarked, “This court saw both females give evidence and speak of what you had done to them in an extremely brave manner. One of these girls stated she had felt dirty and used.”

Hewitt was found guilty on multiple counts, including four charges of indecently assaulting a child, one count of indecency with a child, three counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor under 13, and one count of rape. The severity of his crimes led the court to impose a 10-year sexual prevention order, which aims to restrict Hewitt’s contact with minors and prevent further offenses. Additionally, he will be registered on the sex offenders’ register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and public safety.

Detective Constable Anne-Marie McAteer, who led the investigation, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “We welcome the significant sentence that has today been handed down and which finally brings this sexual predator to justice.” She emphasized that Hewitt’s predatory behavior had persisted for more than ten years, causing immense harm to the victims. McAteer praised the victims for their courage in coming forward, noting, “The success of this investigation would not have been possible without the sheer bravery of the victims and they should be commended for their courage in reporting these crimes. Without their bravery, this case would never have reached court.”

She also expressed hope that the sentence would aid the victims in their recovery process and encourage others who have suffered similar abuse to come forward, confident that justice can be achieved. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and support for victims of sexual abuse, especially those as young and vulnerable as the victims in this tragic case from Erith.