ROY CLAXTON'S LENIENT SENTENCE IN PORTSMOUTH SPARKS OUTRAGE AMIDST SEX ABUSE CASE

In February 2010, a distressing case involving a convicted sex offender from Portsmouth has ignited strong public and personal reactions. Roy Claxton, aged 62, was apprehended and subsequently sentenced after a series of disturbing allegations involving a teenage girl. The case has garnered significant attention due to the perceived inadequacy of his sentence and the emotional toll on the victim's family.

Claxton was found guilty of engaging in sexual activities with a minor, a crime that came to light after he impregnated the teenage girl, who was under his influence at the time. The incident occurred over a period spanning from August 2007 to August 2008. The court proceedings revealed that Claxton, a former painter and decorator residing in Hooper Court, The Hard, Portsea, Portsmouth, had groomed the girl prior to the abuse. His actions culminated in her pregnancy, which she chose to carry to term despite his encouragement to have an abortion. The girl, now 18, gave birth to the child, and DNA testing confirmed Claxton's paternity.

Following his arrest, Claxton pleaded guilty to the charges, leading to his sentencing at Portsmouth Crown Court. He was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison. However, this lenient sentence has not sat well with the victim's mother, who is identified as a 41-year-old woman but cannot be named publicly due to legal restrictions. She has expressed her dissatisfaction and has formally appealed the sentence, arguing that it does not adequately reflect the severity of Claxton's crimes.

In her statement, the mother voiced her frustration, saying, “At the moment there’s no justice for what he has done. It’s affected my relationship with my daughter, and I’d like to see him stay in prison forever. There’s something wrong with him, and I don’t think he’s safe to be around people. I don’t think anything will help him; he won’t change.”

She further explained her motivation for the appeal, emphasizing her desire for her daughter to find peace and security. “I think my daughter just wants this over and done with, which is why I’ve got to try and get a longer sentence for him. He was given three years and nine months, but he will only serve half that time. By the time he is out, she will have hardly had time to move on. She hasn’t really had a childhood or a life. I want her to feel safe. Knowing he is in prison makes it easier, but it’s not long enough for all she has endured.”

The court proceedings also revealed that Claxton had groomed the girl before the abuse, further highlighting the manipulative nature of his actions. The mother expressed her desire for closure, stating, “I want closure for my daughter and for me on the whole thing. I thought we’d get that when he was sentenced, but we haven’t. He doesn’t seem sorry, and it’s as if he is proud of what he has done. He needs to recognize that what he’s done is wrong. The longer he gets, the more time she has to get on with her life.”

The case continues to evoke discussions about sentencing adequacy and the long-term impact on victims of sexual abuse, especially when the offender’s punishment appears insufficient to those affected most deeply by the crimes.