Man, 67, jailed for string of child sex offences

A 67-year-old man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after being found guilty of a string of child sex offences.

Peter Williams Goodchild, of no fixed abode but from the Bury St Edmunds area, pleaded guilty to 12 charges of sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 at an earlier hearing.

Between 2013 and 2019, Goodchild committed the sexual touching offences – which related to three children.

Following an investigation he was arrested on September 12 last year and was later charged with the offences.

On Monday at Ipswich Crown Court, Goodchild was sentenced to 14 years behind bars.

He was also made the subject to a sexual harm prevention order for life and subject to a restraining order for at least the next 10 years.

DC Stefan Iftode, who investigated the offences, said: “This was an extremely traumatic experience for the victims and committed by an offender who abused his position of trust by this offending.

“The victims have shown incredible bravery and this case clearly demonstrates we are absolutely committed to pursuing perpetrators, supporting victims and continuing to ensure the safety of our communities.

"We urge victims of any serious violent or sexual offence to come forward to the police and we remain committed to supporting all victims who report sexual offences.”