Ipswich Man Admits Child Sex Abuse

31 July 2014, 13:35 | Updated: 31 July 2014, 13:48

A man from Ipswich has pleaded guilty to 19 child sex offences in Suffolk and the north-west of England.

Brian Callaghan was arrested at his home in September 2012 following several allegations of historical sexual assaults in Suffolk and Lancashire from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The 78-year-old retired man from Waterford Road was charged with offences in December 2013.

At Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday, July 30, he pleaded guilty to two counts of administering a drug with intent to have sex; six counts of inciting indecency with children; six counts of sexual assault; three counts of child rape; two counts of committing gross indecency with children and one count of cruelty to a child.

Senior Investigating Officer, Ds Darren Bruce, said: “The case against Brian Callaghan highlights the continued determination by Suffolk Police to identify and prosecute those people responsible for committing sexual offences, no matter when they occurred. These crimes were abhorrent. We wonder if he has ever stopped to think about the damage he has done to the children while he sought sexual gratification or how their lives will probably be scarred for ever. We here at Suffolk Police are fully committed to investigating of all aspects of child abuse and sexual assault. Dedicated officers are specially trained to undertake difficult and emotive investigations on a daily basis. Working with all professionals within the field of child protection, we are making a difference promoting the welfare of children to protect them from harmful people.”

He was remanded on court bail prior to his sentencing which will take place at the end of the trial of his co-defendant. The trial of 54-year-old unemployed Diane Foster from Downside Close in Ipswich is due to take place at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday, October 6. She was charged with four counts of committing gross indecency with children; one count of aiding and abetting rape and one count of cruelty to a child.