ROY FIDO FROM ST LEONARDS SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON YOUNG GIRL IN BRIGHTON

In a case that has shocked the local community of St Leonards and the wider Brighton area, Roy Fido, aged 65, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl. The incident, which took place between July 31 and September 7 of the previous year, has led to a significant legal response and a series of restrictions aimed at preventing any future harm.

Fido, a resident of Acre Close in St Leonards, appeared before Brighton Crown Court to face charges related to three counts of sexual assault against a child under the age of 13. During the court proceedings, Fido pleaded guilty to all charges, admitting that he intentionally touched the young girl in a manner that was sexual in nature. The court was informed that the acts were deliberate and occurred over a span of several weeks, causing considerable concern among the community and authorities alike.

At the time of sentencing, Fido stood in the courtroom with a suitcase packed with personal belongings, seemingly prepared for the consequences of his actions. He spoke only to confirm his identity, showing little emotion as the judge delivered the verdict. The court heard that following his imprisonment, Fido will be required to sign the sexual offenders’ register for a period of ten years, a standard measure aimed at monitoring individuals convicted of such offences.

In addition to his prison sentence, Fido was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. This order explicitly bans him from making contact with any child under the age of 16 through any means, including verbal communication, electronic messaging, or any other form of interaction unless supervised by an adult. Furthermore, Fido is prohibited from working with children under 16 and is not permitted to possess photographs of anyone under that age without parental consent. The restrictions extend to his personal life, requiring him to seek permission from his children before visiting his grandchildren, emphasizing the court’s focus on safeguarding vulnerable minors.

During the proceedings, Judge Paul Tain acknowledged that Fido’s family had requested an adjournment of the case to explore whether there might be underlying psychological issues, such as dementia, that could have contributed to his actions. However, no medical evidence was found to support this hypothesis. The judge noted that Fido expressed remorse for his conduct and welcomed the opportunity for psychological treatment both during his time in prison and after his release. It was also made clear that Fido fully understands that the safest course of action is for him to avoid contact with children altogether.

Fido was sentenced to two years in prison for each of the three counts, with all sentences to run concurrently. Judge Tain emphasized the seriousness of the offences, highlighting that Fido had chosen to commit these acts multiple times. He stated, “The aggravating feature of this case is the fact that there is more than one matter to be considered,” underscoring the repeated nature of the misconduct.

There was also speculation that Fido might have been involved in coaching or working with children, as he was previously thought to be a football coach. However, the Sussex Football Association clarified that they had no record of his involvement in coaching activities but announced that they would initiate an investigation to verify his background in sports and community activities. The case has left many in the community of St Leonards and Brighton contemplating the importance of safeguarding children and ensuring that those with a history of such offences are kept away from vulnerable minors.