Grimsby man Andrew Mark Ditchfield found guilty for 45 sex offences against boys and girls
A 53-year-old Grimsby man is due to be sentenced next month after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences over nearly two decades.
Andrew Mark Ditchfield denied the 45 offences, but was found guilty for all of the crimes, which were committed against 12 boys and two girls in Lincolnshire and Derbyshire between 1992 and 2011.
The offences included rape, indecent assault and sexual assault and began in 1992 when Ditchfield began targeting young people in Derby before abusing them in houses, camp sites and leisure facilities.
In the early 2000s, he moved to Lincolnshire, where he continued his offending against young boys and girls.
During a lengthy trial at Derby Crown Court, all 14 victims gave evidence against the defendant. Many of the victims were suffering with depression, drink and drug addictions and post-traumatic stress disorder – and in some cases, suicide attempts.
On 5 August, the jury delivered a unanimous verdict on all counts after deliberating for four hours.
Ditchfield was arrested in November 2020 at his home in Tetney in Grimsby before being charged and remanded into custody.
He is set to be sentenced on 8 October.
Detective Sergeant Ritchie Parkins, who led the team of four officers investigating the decades of abuse, said: “The reason Ditchfield is now behind bars is due to the character and resilience of the survivors of his abuse.
“To stand in court and give evidence against this man who has caused such hurt is humbling and I cannot speak highly enough of every one of them.
“Ditchfield’s refusal to take any responsibility for the damage he wrought on these young people’s lives shows his utter disregard for anyone other than himself. However, the truth has now been found.”
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