Historic Sex Crimes

Historic Sex offences can be very difficult to deal with due to the time between the offence and the trial. There will almost always be issues relating to evidence. That means it can be hugely emotional to try and gather all the relevant information.

Historic Sex Crimes must be treated with great care and attention. The evidence may not always be clear cut and so it’s important to scrutinise everything that’s available.

Sentencing in Historic Sex offences

Guidelines are based on current Sentencing Guidelines, not those that existed at the time of the offence. However, the older provisions may prove useful in deciding a maximum sentence.

As with other Sexual Offences, certain circumstances will be relevant to sentence. These are things such as the age of the victim at the time of the offence, whether there was an abuse of trust or if there was any use of force.

Anyone found guilty of a Sexually related offence will also be required to register on the Sexual Offenders Register. Depending on the charge the defendant will need to stay on the register for between 2 years to an indefinite period of time. Whilst on the register there is a requirement to notify the police:

Of all foreign travel
If you are living or staying with a person aged under 18, for 12 hours or more
Of certain credit card and bank account details

You will be required to go to the police station on a regular basis in order to sign a document stating that you are still complying with SOR regulations. If you have no fixed address, you will be required to go to the police station once a week.

Failure to notify the police of any of the above or of any changes to any of the above is a criminal offence.