A former Sevenoaks resident, Stefan Farbrother, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for subjecting a child to a harrowing and prolonged campaign of sexual abuse during the 1990s. The offences include multiple rapes and indecent assaults committed over a five-year period.

This distressing case came to light in 2018 when concerns were reported to the Kent Police, ultimately leading to Farbrother’s arrest in June of that year. A thorough investigation followed, resulting in Farbrother facing thirteen charges related to incidents spanning from 1991 to 1997. Among these charges were seven counts of rape and multiple indecent assaults.

Farbrother, now 47, of Stanningley Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The case proceeded to trial at Maidstone Crown Court, culminating in October 2023 with unanimous guilty verdicts on all counts. On 22 January 2024, Farbrother was sentenced to 18 years of imprisonment. In addition, he has been added to the sex offenders register for life and subjected to a sexual harm prevention order.

Detective Sergeant Adam Ferguson, who played a pivotal role in the investigation, leads a dedicated Kent Police team focused on sexual abuse and rape cases. DS Ferguson expressed, “Farbrother targeted the victim over a period of many years. He subjected them to the most appalling and terrifying campaign of abuse, using violence and threats which included restraining them with handcuffs and holding a knife to their throat.”

He continued, “I would like to thank the victim, who has been incredibly brave to come forward and give evidence. The abuse has had a catastrophic effect on much of their adult life, but I do hope they can now move forward from this knowing Farbrother will be serving a lengthy prison sentence. Successful convictions such as this are just one of the reasons we continue to urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse to contact the police. It is never too late to report a sexual offence. You will be believed.”