MARTIN PHELAN FROM WORTHING SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN SUSSEX AND IRELAND

In a landmark case at Chichester Crown Court, Martin Phelan, aged 35 and previously residing on Chatsworth Road and Meredith Road in Worthing, was sentenced to life imprisonment for a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of young children. The crimes spanned several years, beginning in 1994 and continuing until 1998, and involved nine boys and girls aged between seven and 14 years old.

During the court proceedings held on a recent Friday, Phelan appeared with a stern expression, arms crossed, as Judge Anthony Thorpe delivered a powerful statement condemning his actions. The judge emphasized the widespread outrage and moral repulsion felt by the community, stating, “All right-thinking people will be appalled to hear that one man can cause such misery and betray trusts so cruelly.”

Judge Thorpe described Phelan as a significant danger to society, characterizing him as a sexual predator who targeted vulnerable children. The judge declared that the severity of his crimes left no alternative but to impose a life sentence, with a minimum of ten years before parole could be considered. However, he also expressed doubt about the possibility of Phelan ever being deemed safe for release, leaving that decision to the parole authorities.

Prior to sentencing, Phelan had admitted to multiple charges, including rape, two counts of attempted rape, 15 counts of indecent assault, and three counts of assault causing actual bodily harm. His offending took place in various locations within Worthing, including the town center, the Broadwater and East Worthing areas, as well as in Bramber. The court heard that his abuse was not isolated but persistent, often carried out under threats of violence and sometimes in the presence of other children.

As the verdict was announced, emotional outbursts erupted from the public gallery, which was filled with victims and their families. Some individuals shouted abuse and curses, including “rot in hell,” reflecting the deep anger and pain caused by Phelan’s actions.

Prosecutor Philip Katz QC described Phelan as a “compulsive, promiscuous paedophile” whose actions had devastating effects on his victims’ lives. He detailed the nature of the abuse, highlighting that it was often carried out in an atmosphere of intimidation and fear. The court was also informed that Phelan’s wife, Jackie, had questioned her husband about his behavior but believed he would cease his offending. Prosecutors indicated that there was evidence suggesting Mrs. Phelan was aware of her husband's misconduct but chose not to intervene. Police later confirmed that no charges were brought against her.

Victims’ statements painted a grim picture of the long-lasting trauma inflicted by Phelan. One 14-year-old boy revealed that he had attempted suicide following his assault. A girl, who was raped repeatedly from the age of eight, shared that her life had been irreparably damaged. Another young girl expressed her fear that Phelan would kill her if she disclosed his abuse, and she developed a phobia of men with ginger hair, mirroring Phelan’s own hair color.

The investigation traced Phelan’s abusive behavior back to his time in Brightlingsea, Essex, in 1994, with the abuse continuing after he moved to Worthing in the summer of 1996. The case took a disturbing turn when police uncovered that Phelan had taken four children on a trip to Bramber, during which further abuse was suspected.

Authorities launched their investigation in November 1998 after receiving multiple complaints from parents of his victims. Phelan, an Irish national, fled to Ireland to evade justice, where his abusive conduct persisted. He was convicted twice in Ireland for offenses against boys aged between nine and 14, serving over five years in prison before being extradited back to the UK in September of the previous year.

Defense lawyer Brian O’Neill argued that Phelan’s own childhood had been marred by sexual and physical abuse, which he claimed contributed to his offending. O’Neill expressed that Phelan now felt “considerable remorse and regret” for his actions and believed he deserved some credit for sparing his victims and their families the trauma of a lengthy trial. The lawyer also noted that Phelan had attempted suicide while participating in a rehabilitation program in Irish prison, as he grappled with his identity as an abuser rather than a victim.

Judge Thorpe, acknowledging the severity of Phelan’s personality disorder, urged authorities to consider treatment options for him. The court also ordered Phelan to register as a sex offender for life and prohibited him from ever working with children again, emphasizing the need to protect the community from further harm.