SIMON PETTITT FROM WHISSONETT SENTENCED FOR MULTIPLE SEX OFFENSES IN NORWICH

In a case that has shocked the local community of Whissonett and the surrounding areas, Simon Pettitt, aged 38, has been convicted of a series of heinous sexual offenses involving minors. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse that spanned several years, leaving lasting scars on the victims involved.

Simon Pettitt, who previously resided on North View Drive in Whissonett near Fakenham, is already serving a substantial prison sentence of 12 years following his conviction in 2014 for the sexual abuse of two children. His criminal history is marked by a pattern of predatory behavior, and his latest conviction further underscores his dangerous nature.

The recent court case, held at Norwich Crown Court, uncovered additional allegations against Pettitt, this time involving a teenage boy. The police were alerted in August 2018 to offenses committed by Pettitt on the young man, who was in his early 20s at the time of reporting. The victim, overwhelmed by the trauma, broke down during the proceedings and confided that he had been sexually assaulted when he was in his early to mid-teens. The abuse is believed to have occurred between 2007 and 2009, a period during which Pettitt exploited the vulnerability of his young victims.

Prosecutor Unyime Davies detailed that Pettitt had instructed the teenage victim to keep silent about the abuse, further demonstrating his manipulative and coercive tactics. Pettitt, who is currently held at HMP Littlehey in Cambridgeshire, admitted to multiple charges, including two counts of rape of a child, one count of attempted rape, and two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity. He also pleaded guilty to causing a child to watch a sexual act and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, among other charges.

The court was presented with a harrowing statement from the victim, who described the lasting impact of Pettitt’s actions. The victim expressed feelings of sickness at the mere mention of Pettitt’s name, and shared that he continues to suffer from nightmares, difficulty sleeping, and persistent anxiety. He described how the trauma has affected his mental health, leading to negative thoughts that refuse to fade.

Judge Anthony Bate sentenced Pettitt to a total of five years in prison, emphasizing the defendant’s status as a “persistent and opportunistic offender.” The judge condemned Pettitt’s conduct as exhibiting a “callous disregard” for the well-being of his victims. In addition to the custodial sentence, Pettitt was subjected to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community.

Reflecting on Pettitt’s criminal history, it is noted that he was previously sentenced in November 2014 to 12 years imprisonment after being convicted of abusing two children over a period that began as early as 2006. His crimes, involving girls under 16, spanned several years and included multiple counts of sexual abuse, rape, and sexual assault. The recent convictions further highlight the severity and persistence of Pettitt’s offending behavior, prompting ongoing concern for public safety and the need for vigilant monitoring of sex offenders in the area.