Victim’s account leads to child sex offender being jailed

A young victim has been praised for her bravery in providing information that has led to a child sex offender being jailed.

The abuse committed by Karl Rose was brought to the attention of police on 3 January this year.

When speaking to officers, the victim – who is a child – told them Rose had also committed other offences against her in the East Leicester area in October and November 2024.

When the report was made to police, Rose’s whereabouts were unknown but he was arrested by police on 8 January. Detectives found that despite initially denying his crimes, 27-year-old Rose had sent messages to the victim’s family apologising for what he had done.

Yesterday (Thursday 5 June) he was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual assault on a girl under 13, one count one count of assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault.

Rose, of no fixed abode, was also made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and an indefinite restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim.

Detective Constable Jemima Kirk, from the force’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU), was the officer in the case. She said: “Despite being a child, the victim in this case showed a lot of bravery in telling us about the crimes Rose committed.

“The detailed account she was able to provide was key in ensuring he had no option but to admit what he’d done and plead guilty.

“I hope the outcome provides both her and her family a degree of closure and allows them to move on with their lives. I also hope it will encourage any other children who have been victims of sexual abuse to speak out and report matters to police.”

• There are a number of different agencies who are able to offer independent help and support to victims of sexual offences in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
• Further information on these services and details on who to contact if you have been a victim of a sexual offence can be found by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences
• If you have been a victim of sexual assault, you can also contact Juniper Lodge – a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) – by phoning 0116 273 3330 or visiting https://juniperlodge.org.uk/
• You can also find your nearest SARC by visiting https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/sexual-health-services/find-a-rape-and-sexual-assault-referral-centre