MAURICE WELLS SHOCKS CLACTON AND COLCHESTER WITH SEXUAL ABUSE AND VIOLENCE

In a series of disturbing revelations, Maurice Wells, a 73-year-old man from Clacton, Essex, has been convicted of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of children and violent past actions. The court proceedings have uncovered a long history of criminal behavior that spans decades, including a notorious incident from 1976 when Wells shot and killed his wife, Suzanne, in the front garden of their home in Colchester.

Wells was only 33 years old at the time of this tragic event. The shooting occurred after Suzanne accused him of infidelity, claiming one of their children was not his. Following his conviction for manslaughter, Wells was sentenced to 10 years in prison. However, after his release, his criminal conduct did not cease. Instead, it evolved into a pattern of grooming and sexually abusing young children, which has now come to light through recent court proceedings.

The court heard that during the 1990s, Wells began to target a young girl, whom he sexually assaulted on multiple occasions. One particularly disturbing incident involved Wells offering her £2 to participate in a sexual act. When she refused, he proceeded anyway, threatening her with violence and intimidation. Emma Nash, the prosecutor, detailed how Wells told her that if she disclosed what had happened, he would shoot her and her family, claiming to have shot his own wife in a similar manner. Despite these threats, the victim found the courage to speak out, although she has since struggled with the trauma, including developing a drinking problem and feeling intense fear of Wells.

Another victim, who was abused in the 2000s, was even more vulnerable due to a medical condition that impaired her understanding of the situation. Wells engaged in various forms of sexual activity with her when she was too young to consent, committing three counts of sexual activity with a minor. The court was also informed that Wells was in a suicidal state in January, prior to his trial, having checked into an Ipswich hotel and being found with equipment prepared for self-harm by gas. His mental health issues added complexity to his sentencing.

Wells received multiple sentences for his crimes: three concurrent seven-year terms for sexual activity with a child, an eight-year sentence for indecent assault, and additional three- and five-year sentences for other indecent assaults. These sentences are to run concurrently but are consecutive to the sentences for the other victim, resulting in a total of 15 years behind bars.

His criminal history is extensive. In 1977, Wells was jailed for manslaughter after a violent incident involving his own daughter, during which he held her hostage and poured petrol over her. This incident, known as 'The Siege of Gloucester Avenue,' involved a seven-hour police stand-off before Wells surrendered. Although he denied murder, he admitted manslaughter, highlighting a pattern of violent and destructive behavior.

Judge David Turner QC addressed Wells directly, emphasizing the gravity of his past and present crimes. He pointed out that Wells, now nearly 74, had a history of significant violence and loss of control, and that his recent convictions involved grave sexual misconduct against children aged 6 to 15. The judge condemned Wells for exploiting, manipulating, grooming, and coercing his victims, noting that one of the charges would constitute rape if committed today. The court heard a personal statement from one of the victims, who described how the abuse had profoundly affected her life, causing ongoing suffering and trauma.

In a separate hearing in January 2017, Wells admitted to a series of sex attacks on two underage girls, including a six-year-old. The court was told that the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to pursue additional charges, and sentencing has been postponed until March to allow for medical assessments. Wells, who was present in court wearing a pink polo shirt and jeans, expressed remorse to his family but was remanded in custody without bail. The proceedings underscore the severity of Wells' crimes and the lasting impact on his victims, as justice continues to be served in Essex.