Horsham Predator Jailed After Decade of Abuse Against Young Girl

A Horsham man has been jailed for a series of child sexual offences carried out over nearly a decade. Keith Clifton, 58, of Tanyard Close, was sentenced to 22 years in prison at Hove Trial Centre on Monday, 23 February, after being convicted of multiple counts of rape and sexual assault against a girl he […]

A Horsham man has been jailed for a series of child sexual offences carried out over nearly a decade.

Keith Clifton, 58, of Tanyard Close, was sentenced to 22 years in prison at Hove Trial Centre on Monday, 23 February, after being convicted of multiple counts of rape and sexual assault against a girl he first targeted when she was just four years old.

Sussex Police said Clifton subjected the child to sexualised behaviour and assaults for several years. On her fifth birthday he began raping her, continuing regularly until she was around 13.

The victim, now in her twenties, reported the abuse to police in 2018. Specialist officers supported her throughout a lengthy and complex investigation, which led to Clifton’s arrest at his home.

Clifton was initially charged with a range of offences, including six counts of rape of a girl under 13, five counts of assault by penetration, four counts of sexual assault by touching, two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, and one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Following a two‑week trial that concluded on 23 January, a jury convicted him of five counts of rape, four counts of sexual assault by penetration and five counts of sexual assault on a child. The remaining charges resulted in a hung jury.

Alongside the prison term, Clifton was made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, restricting his ability to reoffend.

Detective Sergeant Ellen Jones said the sentence “reflects the immense harm caused” to the victim. She praised the woman’s courage in coming forward and reading her own impact statement in court, saying she felt she had “her life back”.

DS Jones also commended the investigating officer for their work on what she described as a “complex, distressing investigation”.

She urged anyone who has experienced sexual abuse—regardless of how long ago it occurred—to report it to police, adding: “We will do all we can to get you the justice you deserve.”