Man imprisoned after pleading guilty to multiple child sex offences

A man has been jailed for six years having pleaded guilty to sexual offences against a child.

Dean Pitcher, aged 38, of Chapman Road in Stevenage, was arrested in April 2022 after reports of sexual offences against a child were made to police.

He was subsequently charged with the following offences:

• 10 counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15.
• Possession of indecent photographs of a child.
• Possession of a controlled Class A drug (cocaine).
• Driving a vehicle whilst unfit through drugs.

The offences took place over a 13-month period and relate to one victim.

Pitcher appeared at Cambridge Crown Court on Monday 4 December 2023, where he was given a six-year custodial sentence.

In addition to this, he was added to the sex offenders register for life and placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order indefinitely. He will also be disqualified from driving upon release and will have to take an extended re-test.

Detective Sergeant Ayodeji Afolabi who lead the case, said: “I would like to commend the bravery of the victim and family who have supported this investigation. 

“I hope this prison sentence demonstrates how serious the defendant’s crimes were and provides a sense of closure to the victim and her family, but also re-assures our community that we take reports of abuse very seriously.”

The Halo team specifically investigates child sexual exploitation. It proactively targets and disrupts those who are sexually exploiting young people and works with intelligence teams to safeguard those most at risk and bring perpetrators to justice.

If you suspect a person of carrying out child sexual exploitation, or think someone you know has been a victim, or may be soon, visit our How to report possible child abuse web page or call our non-emergency number, 101. If someone is in immediate danger of harm, please call 999.

Further details are available on the Herts Police website.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form (Opens in a new window).