A 51-year-old man from Bury St Edmunds has been handed a 26-year extended sentence at Ipswich Crown Court after being found guilty by a jury of 12 child sex offences, including multiple rapes and sexual assaults against two young girls.
John Fordham, of no fixed abode but from Bury St Edmunds, appeared for sentence on Friday 16 October 2026 following an extensive safeguarding and public protection investigation led by Suffolk Police.
The prosecution outlined that Fordham engaged in calculated predatory conduct targeting two young female victims. Over the course of the offending, Fordham repeatedly engineered opportunities to isolate the children from one another to carry out non-consensual sexual acts, rapes, and penetrative abuse in secret.
Following disclosures made regarding the abuse, detectives from Suffolk Police arrested and questioned Fordham. Throughout the investigative process, Fordham denied any wrongdoing and entered not guilty pleas to the indictment, forcing the case through an eight-day Crown Court trial where the evidence was examined before a jury.
Following deliberations, the jury rejected Fordham’s defence in its entirety and returned guilty verdicts on all 12 counts on the indictment:
Four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 years
Three counts of rape
Three counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
Two counts of sexual activity with a child
Passing sentence on 16 October 2026, the Crown Court judge designated Fordham a dangerous sexual offender who presented a serious and continuing risk of significant harm to children. The judge imposed a 26-year extended determinate sentence, requiring Fordham to serve an immediate custodial term of 19 years’ imprisonment before being eligible for consideration by the Parole Board, followed by an extended licence period of seven years subject to strict probation supervision in the community.
To ensure long-term protection, the court made Fordham subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and granted lifetime restraining orders prohibiting any contact with the victims. The judge further directed that Fordham remain subject to lifelong notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and permanently barred him from regulated work or contact involving children or vulnerable adults.
Under the provisions of Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, all child victims and complainants connected to criminal proceedings are protected by automatic, lifelong statutory anonymity. Publishing, broadcasting, or disseminating any details, names, addresses, educational facilities, or photographs capable of leading to public identification is strictly prohibited under UK law.
Fordham stood convicted of:
Four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13
Three counts of rape
Three counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
Two counts of sexual activity with a child
Sentencing outcome and statutory measures:
26-year extended determinate sentence (19 years’ custody and seven years on extended licence)
Indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO)
Lifetime restraining orders protecting both victims
Mandatory notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register for life under the Sexual Offences Act 2003
Permanent barring from working with children or vulnerable adults (Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists)
Dangerous offender post-custodial statutory licence supervision conditions enforceable upon release from custody
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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