NEWHAVEN CHILD RAPIST LEWES HARBY SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS IN SUSSEX

In October 2017, Lewes Harby, a 20-year-old man from Newhaven, Sussex, was handed an 18-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to a series of heinous sexual offenses involving six young girls, one of whom was only 12 years old at the time of the abuse.

Harby’s crimes were particularly disturbing due to the nature and location of the assaults. The majority of his offenses took place at his mother’s residence in Newhaven, a location known for its issues with drug activity and dealing, as revealed during the proceedings at Hove Crown Court. It was at this address that Harby raped a 12-year-old girl four times, often while she was dressed in her school uniform, which underscores the disturbing breach of innocence involved in these acts.

According to police reports, Harby manipulated his victims by providing them with alcohol and mobile phones. He exploited their vulnerabilities, sending explicit images of himself to them, further entrenching his predatory behavior. Prosecutor Kate Blumgart highlighted that Harby targeted young girls from troubled backgrounds, often luring them into his company under false pretenses. When authorities finally apprehended him, Harby dismissed his actions with callous remarks, claiming that his victims were “silly girls, who needed sorting out.”

The impact on the victims and their families has been profound. The mother of the 12-year-old girl recounted the harrowing details of her daughter’s grooming and abuse. She described a distressing incident in May when her daughter arrived at her home with a wet pair of tights, claiming she had gotten them wet on the way over. The following day, her carer noticed a large love bite on her chest, which was particularly alarming given her age. The mother explained that she immediately contacted the police, who found Harby’s DNA on the girl’s clothing, confirming his involvement.

While praising the diligent work of local police officers, the mother expressed frustration over the limited resources available to combat such crimes. Nonetheless, she expressed relief that her daughter and other victims had the opportunity to testify in court and that Harby was publicly condemned for his actions.

Harby admitted to multiple offenses, including the rape of two girls under 15, sexual assault of three other girls, and meeting a 15-year-old girl for sex after grooming her. His crimes spanned across Brighton, Lancing, and Newhaven, illustrating a pattern of systematic exploitation.

Currently unemployed and residing on Railway Road in Newhaven, Harby is set to serve an initial 12 years in prison, followed by an additional six years under extended supervision on prison release license. His sentencing reflects the severity of his crimes and the danger he posed to the community.

However, the mother of one of the young victims warned that Harby was not acting alone. She revealed that there are “other men involved – known to the police,” and recounted an incident where her daughter was found on the beach, intoxicated and kissing a man known for grooming. She emphasized that the stereotype of paedophiles being “dirty old men in anoraks” is misleading, as many offenders are men aged 17 to 30 who actively groom young girls, often with the complicity or knowledge of others involved in such criminal networks.