East Sussex dance teacher 'trusted' in local community is jailed for sexually abusing young girls

Saturday, 2 November 2019 15:48

An internationally famous dance and ballet teacher, who police said was a 'trusted' and 'well-known' member of his local community, has been jailed for sexually abusing three girls as young as nine, while he was living in East Sussex. Police said Stephen Beagley, 62, formerly of Wadhurst, was sentenced to ten years in prison after admitting five counts of sexual assault against the victims, two of indecent assault and one of causing a child to engage in sexual activity. The court heard his offending spanned a total of 13 years from the 1990s onwards. DS John Steven, of the East Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit, said: "This was a complex investigation of historic allegations carried out with the support of the victims and alongside partner agencies. "Beagley was a trusted and well-known man in his local community in East Sussex and around the world in performing and teaching ballet. "The offences began to come to light for the first time just over two years ago when one of the victims, by then an adult and who had lived with her distressing experiences for many years, finally gained courage and spoke to the police. "Beagley targeted the young girls he came into contact with, and abused them while they were at their most vulnerable, over many years. "I am glad that the victims had the courage, strength and commitment to come forward and remain resilient through this investigation, ensuring the justice achieved today." Police said Beagley will be a registered sex offender for life and was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), severely restricting his access to anyone under-18 until further court notice.

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