MAN JAILED FOR CHILD SEXUAL OFFENCES AND RAPE

A man who was found guilty of 18 offences, including 17 sexual offences against children, has been jailed.

Andrew Robert Pope, 56, of Burton-on-Trent, was sentenced to 26 years in prison at Stafford Crown Court today (Friday 23 January).

Back in June last year, our evidence meant that the jury deemed Pope guilty of a series of offences, including:

Our detectives started investigating him in May 2024 after one of the survivors bravely came forward and told someone about what happened. 

Throughout the course of our investigation, a number of survivors were spoken to. We gathered all of the evidence needed and arrested Pope, who denied all of the offences when he was interviewed in custody.

It was during our investigation that a further survivor came forward and told us about more crimes that Pope had committed. 

As part of his sentencing, Pope was also put on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely, given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and served with a restraining order, stopping him from contacting the survivors.

Detective Sergeant Gemma Sharp, from our rape and serious sexual offences unit, said: “Pope was prolific in his offending and I’m pleased we’ve been able to secure this outcome today, which ensures he goes to prison for a long time.

“I’d like to commend the survivors in this case who have shown immense bravery from the start until the end of the criminal justice process.

“Pope tried up until the very end to hide what he had done, but because of our evidence and the bravery of the survivors, he failed.”

If you’re a survivor of sexual offences and you feel ready to talk to us in confidence, call 101 or use Live Chat on our website - www.staffordshire.police.uk