In 2024, the Offender Database recorded that Surajit Ghosh, then 27, of Drummond Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, was jailed for 18 months for the sexual assault of an 8-year-old girl. On Thursday, 20 June 2024, Ghosh appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court for sentencing. The court reported that the defendant targeted the child inside the Tesco supermarket on Crasswell Street before attempting to evade capture.
The investigation established that on the evening of Saturday, 27 May 2023, Ghosh touched the young girl’s bottom and fled down a supermarket aisle. He was chased through the store by a family member of the victim before escaping. Hampshire Constabulary quickly identified the defendant via CCTV and arrested him at his home in Drummond Road that same night. Upon being discovered hiding behind a sofa, Ghosh became aggressive, threatening to stab officers and digging his fingernails into a police officer’s hand, drawing blood.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Ghosh committed a “shocking series of offences” that left the young victim upset and her family horrified. Portsmouth Crown Court heard that despite pleading guilty to the sexual assault in October 2023, Ghosh subsequently used Facebook to contact the girl’s mother, asking her to drop the charges. This manipulative behaviour led to an additional conviction for perverting the course of justice. DC Heather Milsom noted that the defendant’s actions added “further insult” to his original crimes and demonstrated a complete lack of remorse.
The judge noted that Ghosh’s violence toward emergency workers and his attempt to interfere with the judicial process necessitated an immediate custodial sentence. For his actions in Portsmouth, Hampshire, the defendant was sentenced to 18 months in prison. The judge noted that the girl displayed “extraordinary bravery” in speaking to the police about the worrying incident, which was instrumental in securing the conviction.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in England, Surajit Ghosh was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: 18 months in prison.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were activated for ten years.
- SHPO: A ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
- Restraining Order: A ten-year restraining order protecting the victim and her family.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court following multiple guilty pleas.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Ghosh is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Hampshire Constabulary and the prison estate. Due to the “aggressive and manipulative” nature of the offences in Portsmouth, Hampshire, his management is subject to oversight by the Public Protection Unit.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, Ghosh must comply with notification requirements regarding his residence in Drummond Road, Portsmouth, for the next ten years. Authorities state that his ten-year SHPO and restraining order provide critical safeguards to prevent further contact with the victim or the commission of similar offences. Any breach of his registration conditions, his SHPO, or his restraining order will result in immediate arrest and a return to Portsmouth Crown Court.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.