In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that Shane Vertigan, 49, was jailed for six years for the “prolonged” sexual abuse of a schoolgirl. On appearing at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday 16 September 2019, the defendant—of Whitelands, Fakenham—was sentenced after being found guilty of six counts of sexually assaulting a girl aged between 13 and 15. It was reported that Vertigan, a well-known local figure, had managed to conceal his “dark and ugly secret” for more than a decade while maintaining an image as an upstanding member of the community.
The investigation established the calculated nature of Vertigan’s grooming behaviour and the abuse of his local standing. Norfolk Police reported that Vertigan had previously served as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) in Fakenham and worked in the custody office at Bethel Street Police Station in Norwich. The prosecution reported that he was widely known as the “singing traffic warden” for Fakenham, Holt, and Walsingham, and held a prominent role as the chairman of Hindringham Football Club. The investigation established that he used this outward decency to mask his obsession with a victim more than 20 years his junior.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Vertigan had used grooming tactics to manipulate the victim and “get her to where he wanted her to be.” Norwich Crown Court heard that the sexual assaults, which took place over a decade ago, included Vertigan touching the child’s genital area. The investigation established that despite his long association with the Salvation Army band and his work as a qualified football referee, Vertigan’s private actions were described by the judge as “vile” and “deviant.”
Judge David Goodin noted that Vertigan was an “outwardly decent member of society concealing a dark and ugly secret.” For his actions in Fakenham, Vertigan was handed a six-year custodial sentence after a jury dismissed his denials and found him guilty of six of the eight charges he faced. The judge noted that the victim had been “deeply affected” by the abuse in the years following the incidents, highlighting the long-term psychological damage caused by Vertigan’s predatory behaviour.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in England, the status of Shane Vertigan is as follows:
- Custodial Sentence: 6 years (Sentenced 16 September 2019).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active for life.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court following a Norfolk Police investigation.
- Criminal Record: Sexual assault of a child (6 counts).
- Origin: Whitelands, Fakenham, Norfolk.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Vertigan is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) at a high level of scrutiny in Norfolk. Due to the nature of his conduct in Fakenham, which involved the grooming and sexual assault of a child while he held positions of trust in the police and local sports, his management is a priority for the Public Protection Unit. Authorities state that his lifetime registration on the Sex Offenders Register ensures that his residency and any future involvement in community or sporting organisations will be strictly prohibited and monitored.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register for life, Vertigan must comply with all notification requirements regarding his identity and residence. Authorities state that his history of “outwardly decent” behaviour in Norfolk necessitates permanent vigilance by local offender management teams to ensure he cannot target further victims. Any future attempt to approach a minor, return to a role in youth sports, or fail to disclose his location to the authorities will result in immediate arrest and a return to the prison system.
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