Children’s charity the NSPCC has slammed ‘predatory’ Ramsgate sex attacker Emily Sweetland and the disdain she has shown for her numerous victims.
Emily Sweetland, from Ramsgate, grabbed or touched both girls and women in Canterbury and Thanet.
The 21-year-old of Warten Road was sentenced to three years at Canterbury Crown Court yesterday (June 21) after admitting 10 counts of sexual assault and one count of sexually assaulting a child under 13.
The court heard the first offence occurred on 3 April, 2019 when Sweetland inappropriately touched two girls on a train. Sweetland, who was referred to as ‘he’ during court proceedings, then went on to commit a series of sexual assaults on young girls throughout the day on April 5 in Canterbury City Centre.
A witness to one of the incidents flagged down a passing police car and Sweetland was immediately arrested. While at the police station Sweetland made inappropriate comments to an officer.
Sweetland was released on bail while officers carried out enquiries into the incidents.
On April 6, Sweetland again committed further sexual assaults, including touching people inappropriately and was again arrested and sexual assaulted the arresting officers.
Sweetland was charged with 10 counts of sexual assaults and one count of sexually assaulting a child under 13 and remanded in custody.
Sweetland pleaded guilty to all counts on April 7 and has been in custody ever since.
An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Sweetland has shown nothing but disdain for her victims in court, compounding the trauma they have already experienced. We hope they are receiving support to get their lives back on track.
“These actions were opportunistic and predatory and it is vital that Sweetland undergoes rehabilitation to minimise the risk she poses to the public.”
Investigating officer Detective Constable Daniel Hodgson, from the Vulnerability Investigating Team, said: “We immediately made an arrest when we became aware of Sweetlands offending, and in order for us to carry out further enquiries into the incidents and in accordance with Home Office guidelines, released on bail.
“But, Sweetland went on to commit further crimes. I am pleased that a custodial sentence has been given and Sweetland is no longer able to cause distress.”
Some 120 women and girls were found guilty of sex offences including rape and sexual assault in 2016, according to figures from the Ministry of Justice. That is more than double the 48 female convictions in 2006.
