ROGER MAYNARD'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN BEXHILL-ON-SEA LEAD TO 20-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE

In September 2014, a disturbing case involving Roger John Maynard, a 47-year-old sex offender from Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, culminated in a significant legal ruling that reaffirmed his 20-year prison sentence. Maynard was convicted of a series of heinous crimes against a 14-year-old girl, crimes that have left a lasting scar on her life and have been described as an insidious campaign of sexual abuse.

Maynard, who resides on Ninfield Road in Bexhill-on-Sea, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court in April following a comprehensive nine-day trial. The court found him guilty of multiple counts of rape and indecent assault, crimes committed over a period that the court described as a deliberate and calculated campaign to manipulate and sexually exploit the young girl. The severity of his actions and their impact on the victim were central to the sentencing decision.

On Tuesday, September 23, a panel of three senior judges at London's Court of Appeal dismissed Maynard’s challenge to his sentence, ruling that it was not excessive or disproportionate given the circumstances. Mr. Justice Spencer, delivering the judgment, emphasized that Maynard had groomed the girl prior to the assaults, establishing a pattern of manipulation that culminated in repeated acts of sexual violence. The court detailed how Maynard exerted physical pressure on the victim, including forcing her into sex at one point, and coerced her into touching his private parts and performing sex acts on him.

The victim, who has endured years of mental health struggles stemming from the abuse, initially kept her ordeal secret. It was only during hypnotherapy sessions in 2011 that she was able to recall and disclose the details of her abuse, leading to Maynard’s arrest in September 2012. Despite his denials, a jury found him guilty of the charges, and the court noted that Maynard had previous convictions for indecently assaulting two other teenage girls, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior.

During the sentencing hearing, the judge described Maynard’s actions as a manipulative campaign designed to satisfy his repulsive desires. The court acknowledged that most of the crimes did not involve overt violence or threats, but emphasized that the insidious nature of the grooming and moral pressure applied to the victim made the offenses particularly serious. The judge stated that Maynard’s abuse had profoundly affected the girl’s life, describing her suffering as significant and ongoing.

Maynard, who appeared in court wearing glasses and a blue shirt, watched the proceedings via video link from prison. His legal counsel, Julian Dale, argued that the sentence was excessive, citing the lack of violence or threats in most of the crimes. However, Mr. Justice Spencer, along with Lord Justice Pitchford and Mr. Justice Irwin, upheld the original sentence, asserting that the manipulation and moral coercion involved in the offenses rendered the 20-year term appropriate. The judges concluded that the sentence was not manifestly excessive, reaffirming the court’s stance on the gravity of Maynard’s crimes and their lasting impact on the victim.