Ipswich man jailed for child sex offences

Ipswich man jailed for child sex offences

A 41-year-old man from Ipswich has been jailed after being found guilty of seven child sex offences.

Adriaan Spenkelink, formerly of Bulwer Road in Ipswich, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court Friday 18 September where he was handed an extended licence totalling 18 years, made up of 17 years’ imprisonment and a further year on licence.

Extended sentences are handed to those who are convicted of serious violent or sexual offences, where an additional period of post-release supervision is required to protect the public.

He had previously denied the charges against him but was found guilty by a jury following a five-day trial of the following:

The charges relate to two girls, both aged under 13 years at the time of offending, who were not known to each other.

In addition to his sentence, Spenkelink was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register and was made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 25 years.

Detective Sergeant Katie Leckie, who was the officer in charge of the case, said: “I would like to thank the victims for their courage in coming forward and reporting these offences. It is because of their bravery that Spenkelink’s predatory behaviour was exposed.

“By denying the charges against him, he forced the victims to relive their experiences through a trial and demonstrated a blatant disregard for the impact of his actions.

“While today’s sentence cannot undo the trauma suffered by the victims, I hope that it provides them with a sense of justice and helps them to move forward, knowing that Spenkelink is behind bars and can no longer be a danger to children.

“We remain committed to working tirelessly to advocate on behalf of victims, ensuring that those who abuse positions of trust, particularly those who exploit and harm vulnerable children, are held accountable. Addressing violence against women and girls remains a priority for Suffolk Constabulary, and we will continue to pursue offenders robustly.”

If you or someone you know has been a victim of rape or sexual assault, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police. 

Suffolk Survivor Pathway is a single access point for multi-agency support for victims of sexual violence. It includes six specialist services that work together to co-ordinate care and support.  https://suffolksurvivorpathway.co.uk/

For more information and to find the support services available to you, please visit the Suffolk Constabulary website: Report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences | Suffolk Constabulary

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