A 63-year-old Suffolk man who exploited a woman with a mental disorder after offering her a lift and then sexually assaulted her inside her residence has received a suspended prison sentence at Ipswich Crown Court.
Adrian Long, residing at Bruff Road in Ipswich, appeared in the dock for sentence on Friday 24 April 2026 after entering a formal guilty plea to a sexual offence against a vulnerable adult.
The prosecution outlined that the incident occurred on 27 March 2025. Long encountered the victim outside a local retail premises after she waved him down and asked for assistance and transport to return to her home. Due to her condition, the woman was unable to recall her address. Long searched through the personal cards inside her possession to identify where she resided and subsequently transported her to the property.
Upon arriving at the residence, Long entered the address alongside the victim and carried out a sexual assault.
The alarm was raised when a relative of the woman, who had access to private indoor video monitoring equipment installed at the property, observed footage showing Long entering the premises without authorization. The family member contacted Suffolk Police, prompting officers to attend the address and launch a safeguarding inquiry.
Detectives arrested Long and pieced together the sequence of events leading up to the assault. Faced with the evidence, Long formally admitted his conduct in court.
At Ipswich Crown Court, Long pleaded guilty to:
One count of sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder
Under the provisions of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, the victim in this case is protected by mandatory, lifelong statutory anonymity. Any publication, broadcast, or public dissemination of information capable of leading to her identification is strictly prohibited under UK law.
Sentencing Long, the presiding judge took into account his admission of guilt alongside the predatory nature of targeting a woman who was clearly vulnerable and unable to protect herself.
The judge handed down an eight-month custodial sentence, suspended for a period of 20 months.
In addition to the suspended sentence, Long was ordered to complete a 40-day rehabilitation activity programme and carry out 100 days of unpaid community work. The court further ordered that Long be made subject to statutory notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register for a duration of 10 years.
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