Stevenage man jailed for six years in connection with multiple sexual assaults

A man from Stevenage has been handed a six-year prison sentence after being convicted of multiple sexual assaults against a child under the age of 13.

Forbes Maxwell, aged 44, and of Lomond Way, Stevenage was found guilty of five counts of sexual assault by touching and one count of sexual assault by penetration.

At St Albans Crown Court on Thursday 14 November, Forbes was sentenced to a total six years in prison with an extending licence, for sexual assault by penetration, as well as a four-year sentence running concurrently for four counts of sexual assault by touching and a one-year sentence for another count of sexual assault by touching.

He is also subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed onto the sex offenders register.

Sergeant Jean-Pascal Beecroft who was the officer in charge of the case said: “The victim has shown incredible bravery to report these offences to police.

“Becoming a victim of sexual assault is never your fault and if you’ve been a victim please report it. We have specialist officers on hand to provide advice and support throughout an investigation.

“I hope this sentence will give the victim an opportunity to rebuild her life, safe in the knowledge that Maxwell will be spending a considerable amount of time behind bars.”

You can report information online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Anyone in Hertfordshire who has experienced sexual abuse or sexual violence can contact Herts SARC for practical and emotional support. The centre can arrange face-to-face support, sexual health referrals, and provide forensic medical examinations for those who want them. To contact Herts SARC, call the 24/7 helpline on 0808 178 4448, email [email protected] or visit hertssarc.org.

Meanwhile, Beacon is Hertfordshire’s Victim Care Centre and is staffed by professionals from both Hertfordshire Constabulary and Catch 22, an independent organisation commissioned to support victims of crime in Hertfordshire. For more information on how to contact Beacon in the strictest confidence, visit https://hertfordshirebeacon.org/.