Sussex detective in line for award after helping to nail serial Pulborough rapist
A Sussex detective is in line for a national award for her part in helping to nail a serial Pulborough rapist.
Detective Constable Victoria Ashworth-Kirkby has been nominated for a national Police Now ‘Alumni Impact Award’ for her role in seeing serial rapist and sex offender Ian Elliott, 71, from North Heath, sentenced to 27 years behind bars.
DC Ashworth-Kirkby initially supported the investigation to help secure 10 charges, including rape and voyeurism. When she then took over as officer in charge of the case, her ‘thorough and meticulous investigation’ led to an additional 82 charges being authorised – resulting in a total of 92 charges and becoming one of the largest cases dealt with by Sussex Police last year.
Elliott, who sexually assaulted and raped six young men between 1999 -2021, was sentenced earlier this year to a total of 27 years in prison, with an additional five years to be spent on licence.
DC Ashworth-Kirkby, who trained on Police Now’s National Detective Programme, said: “The victims in this case have shown remarkable strength to support these prolonged proceedings, while we sought to secure the justice they deserve. They must live with the impact of these crimes for the rest of their lives. It is right that this dangerous man will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.”
She added: “Whilst nothing can eliminate the ordeal the victims have been subjected to, knowing that we have removed a dangerous predator from the streets hopefully provides at least a small comfort and a sense of closure to the victims, who have demonstrated great courage and perseverance.”
Sussex Detective Chief Superintendent Miles Ockwell said: “Victoria’s outstanding detective work is demonstrated by the number of charges she secured and the lengthy sentence coming from them and I am delighted to see that being rewarded by this nomination.”
On top of her Police Now award nomination, DC Ashworth-Kirkby has also been nominated for Sussex Police’s Student Officer of the Year award for the second year running.
She joined Sussex Police in 2021 via Police Now’s National Detective Programme, which recruits, trains and supports talented graduates to become qualified detectives and outstanding frontline investigators in two years.