NEIL TURNER SHOCKS WORTHING AND SHOREHAM WITH CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND JAIL SENTENCE

In a series of disturbing revelations, Neil Turner, a former teacher from Worthing, has been found guilty of multiple child sexual offences spanning several decades. The case has sent shockwaves through the local communities of Worthing and Shoreham, where Turner once taught at Shoreham College.

In July 2020, Turner, aged 66 and residing at Pevensey Garden in Worthing, pleaded guilty to a total of ten counts of sexual misconduct involving young boys. The offences ranged from the 1970s to 2016, highlighting a troubling pattern of abuse that persisted over many years. During a hearing at Worthing Magistrates’ Court on July 8, Turner admitted to indecently assaulting seven boys, some as young as eight years old.

The charges included five counts of indecent touching of a boy under the age of 14, two counts involving boys under 16, two counts of assaulting a boy under 13 by touching, and one count of indecently touching a man aged 16 or over. These allegations came to light following an initial conviction in June 2017, when Turner was sentenced to 32 months in prison for sexual assaults committed during the 1980s and 1990s against three young boys.

Turner’s latest victims came forward after the 2017 conviction, leading to further charges and a more comprehensive investigation. The seriousness of the offences prompted the chairman of the bench, Gavin Oclee-Brown, to recognize that the case required sentencing powers beyond those of the magistrates’ court. Turner was ordered to appear at Lewes Crown Court on August 5 for sentencing proceedings.

As part of his ongoing legal consequences, Turner has been placed on the sex offender register for life, a measure that was implemented following his previous convictions. Despite the guilty pleas, Turner’s defense team pointed out that no new allegations had been made against him since 2017, and he was subsequently released on unconditional bail.

Prior to these recent developments, Turner had been living freely in Worthing after his initial sentencing. His criminal history and the nature of his offences have raised significant concerns among local residents and authorities alike, emphasizing the importance of ongoing vigilance and support for victims.

In June 2017, Turner was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after admitting to sexual assaults on three boys during the 1980s and 1990s. The police investigation, which began in November 2015 after a victim came forward, uncovered a disturbing pattern of abuse that had remained hidden for decades. Detective Constable Matt Moores of Worthing Investigations stated that the investigation was initiated when a victim, who had not spoken about his experiences for years, finally came forward. The police then identified two other victims, whose previous allegations had not led to criminal proceedings at the time, but who confirmed similar experiences involving Turner.

The case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children and the need for vigilance in uncovering historical abuse cases, especially those involving trusted community figures like Neil Turner.