PHILLIP SAVIDGE'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN BURGESS HILL AND EAST GRINSTEAD: POLICE OFFICER TURNED PREDATOR JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Burgess Hill and East Grinstead, Philip Savidge, also known as Phillip Patterson, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after a series of heinous crimes involving child exploitation and abuse. The 34-year-old, who was once a respected police officer, has now been exposed as a predatory offender with a long history of illegal activities related to indecent images and sexual misconduct involving minors.

According to Sussex Police, Savidge, who resided on Alexandra Road in Burgess Hill, had previously served time in prison for possessing an astonishing collection of over 50,000 indecent images of children. His past offences included the possession of 42,000 images, some of the most severe category of abuse, which he shared online with other paedophiles. His criminal record also revealed that he had been sentenced to 27 months in prison for these offences, and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) was imposed to restrict his access to children and digital devices.

Despite this, investigations uncovered that Savidge continued to flout the law. In 2018, during a routine monitoring visit by police officers tasked with overseeing registered sex offenders, authorities discovered references to indecent material involving children on his mobile phone. Forensic analysis of his device revealed more than 100 indecent images of young boys, many of which were classified as the most serious category, including over 40 extreme images. The phone also contained evidence of online grooming and a sexual relationship with a teenage boy, who was later identified and confirmed the relationship when traced by investigators.

The police investigation, led by Sussex Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT), worked in conjunction with the West Sussex sex offender monitoring team. Detective Constable Vicky Jones explained that Savidge, who previously used his birth name Philip Savidge, had admitted to making and distributing indecent images in September 2011. At that time, he was a serving police officer, an acting sergeant based in East Grinstead, and was honoured for bravery just weeks before his arrest. His collection included images of boys aged between four and twelve, as well as some involving animals, which he claimed he kept as a form of stress relief, comparing it to collecting sports memorabilia.

His criminal activities spanned several years, with prior breaches of his sex offender notification requirements. In October 2016, he received an eight-week suspended sentence for a previous violation, and in September 2018, he was sentenced to 17 weeks in custody for another breach, which was uncovered during the police visit earlier that year. These repeated violations demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of children.

During the sentencing at Hove Crown Court on Thursday, December 19, Judge David Rennie described Savidge’s actions as indicative of a dangerous individual who demonstrated a clear indifference to the law and the well-being of children. The judge emphasized that children are inherently vulnerable and that society bears a collective responsibility to protect them. He condemned Savidge’s grooming of a teenage boy and his ongoing possession of child abuse images, stating, “In all of these pictures, a child is having their innocence destroyed.” The judge also noted that Savidge’s repeated offences showed he had learned nothing from his previous sentences, and he was therefore deemed a significant threat to the community.

As a result of his convictions, Savidge was sentenced to six years in prison for possession of indecent images and sexual activity with a minor. Additionally, he will be registered as a sex offender for life, and his Sexual Harm Prevention Order has been extended indefinitely. The court’s decision underscores the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses. The police confirmed that Savidge’s breach of the SHPO was not proceeded with, but the order remains in effect to monitor his activities.

In a related context, Savidge’s background as a police officer and his involvement in community activities, such as coaching cricket and volunteering with scout groups, have been overshadowed by his criminal conduct. His roles in these organizations, which involved contact with children aged between eight and 18, have been terminated, and the Scout Association confirmed that he has been suspended and later dismissed from their ranks. The trust placed in him as a community figure was irrevocably broken by his actions.

Sussex Police issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to bringing offenders like Savidge to justice, regardless of their previous positions or societal standing. The case serves as a stark reminder that no one is above the law, and that safeguarding children must always take precedence over personal reputation or past service. The community now grapples with the betrayal of trust by someone who was once seen as a protector, but who ultimately became a predator.