In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that Emily Sweetland, then 21, of Ramsgate, Kent, was sentenced to prison for a series of assaults. On Saturday, 22 June 2019, Sweetland was handed a three-year sentence at Canterbury Crown Court after admitting to ten counts of sexual assault and one count of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13.+1
The investigation established that the offences began on 3 April 2019, when Sweetland inappropriately touched two girls on a train. On 5 April 2019, she committed further sexual assaults in Canterbury City Centre, Kent. After being released on bail, she offended again on 6 April, including assaults on the arresting officers. Kent Police took Sweetland into custody on 7 April 2019, where she remained until her sentencing.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Sweetland targeted multiple girls and women on the streets and on public transport. The judge noted the persistence of the offending, particularly the fact that she continued to assault members of the public after being released on bail for earlier incidents. The prosecution stated that the defendant also made inappropriate comments to officers and physically assaulted them during the arrest process.
The judge noted the impact on the victims who were grabbed or touched in public spaces in Canterbury, Kent. For her actions, the court determined that a three-year custodial term was necessary to address the pattern of serial sexual offending. The prosecution noted that the investigation was aided by a witness who flagged down a patrol car during one of the city centre incidents.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For her crimes in England, Emily Sweetland was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: Three years in prison.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were activated.
- Judicial Oversight: Convicted at Canterbury Crown Court after pleading guilty to all charges.
- Convictions: Ten counts of sexual assault and one count of sexually assaulting a child under 13.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Sweetland is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Kent Police and the prison estate. Due to the nature of the serial assaults in Canterbury, Kent, her management is subject to oversight by the Public Protection Unit.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, Sweetland must comply with notification requirements regarding her residence in Ramsgate, Kent. Authorities state that her propensity for reoffending while on bail is a key factor in her future risk management. Any breach of her registration conditions or future licence terms will result in immediate arrest and a return to Canterbury Crown Court.
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