In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that Edward Church, then 68, of Alderlands Close, Crowland, Lincolnshire, was jailed for the “wicked and depraved” rape of a 12-year-old girl. On Wednesday, 1 May 2019, Church appeared at Lincoln Crown Court, where he was handed a 17-year custodial sentence. The judge branded him “dangerous” following his conviction for a series of historical sexual offences against three children.
The investigation established that Church raped the 12-year-old girl in a car in 2009. Additionally, he was convicted of seven counts of indecent assault against two other girls, both under the age of 13 at the time. These assaults took place in the early 2000s while Church was living in a village located between Sleaford and Grantham, Lincolnshire. The court heard that Church had a long history of predatory behaviour, having previously been sentenced to three years of probation in 1970 for indecently assaulting a seven-year-old girl.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that the victims, now adults, continue to suffer significant psychological trauma. Lincoln Crown Court heard moving impact statements; one survivor reported suffering from persistent bad dreams, while another lived in constant fear of being attacked and struggled with severe trust issues. Judge Andrew Easteal noted that Church’s treatment of his victims was “both wicked and depraved,” necessitating a sentence that reflected his status as a permanent threat to children in Lincolnshire.
The judge noted that there was no hesitation in designating Church as a dangerous offender under the law. For his actions in Crowland, Sleaford, and Grantham, the 17-year prison term was augmented by an extended licence period to ensure he remains under state supervision long after his physical incarceration. The prosecution reported that the strength of the survivors’ testimonies was the defining factor in securing the guilty verdicts against the “dangerous” predator.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in England, Edward Church was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: 17 years in prison.
- Extended Licence: Three years of mandatory supervision following release.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are in effect for life.
- SHPO: A lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court following a jury trial.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Church is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Lincolnshire Police and the prison estate. Due to the “wicked” nature of the rape and his history of repeat offending in Crowland and Sleaford, Lincolnshire, his management is subject to the highest level of oversight by the Public Protection Unit.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, Church must comply with notification requirements regarding his residence in Crowland for the rest of his life. Authorities state that his lifelong SHPO and extended licence are critical for managing the risk he poses upon any eventual release. Any breach of his registration conditions or the terms of his 20-year sentence package will result in immediate arrest and a return to Lincoln Crown Court.
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