In 2019, the Offender Database reported that Lance Stride, then 45, of Brunswick Square, Hove, East Sussex, was sentenced to 21 years in prison at Lewes Crown Court. Following a trial, a jury found Stride guilty of rape and sexual assault.
The investigation established that Stride repeatedly raped a young teenage girl and sexually abused a younger child. The older victim reported that she was raped on at least six occasions. In an effort to deter Stride, the victim stopped washing and deliberately put on weight. She also stopped communicating with friends, fearing that Stride would target them.
Impact and Manipulation
The court heard that the victims have suffered long-term physical and mental harm. The older victim contracted a sexually transmitted infection and requires medication for insomnia, depression, and anxiety. The younger victim suffers from severe anxiety and psychological distress.
Judge Christine Laing emphasised that Stride used “the worst kind of manipulation” by making the children feel they had to keep quiet to protect him from trouble. The judge described the crimes as “terrible” and noted that the harm caused could last for life.
Sentence and Registration Requirements
For his crimes in Hove and the subsequent hearing at Lewes, Lance Stride was:
- Sentenced to 21 years in prison.
- Placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
The judge noted that the jury reached their verdict based on “the most compelling evidence.” Stride must now comply with the strictest level of monitoring following his eventual release from custody.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Stride is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Sussex Police. His status as a high-risk predator remains under “critical” scrutiny to ensure public safety.
As a lifetime member of the Sex Offenders Register, Stride must comply with notification requirements for the rest of his life. Sussex Police state that they will use every resource available to manage dangerous offenders and protect the vulnerable. Any breach of his registration or licence conditions will result in his return to Lewes Crown Court.
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