Sussex child abuser jailed after international manhunt

Langrish's sentence comes after an international investigation spanning 12 years

A man who sexually abused a young boy in Sussex in the 1980s has been jailed after an international manhunt.

Glenn Langrish, 74, had moved to Sweden and changed his last name to Stephens after being released from prison for unrelated child sex offences in 1994, Sussex Police said.

A 12-year inquiry tracked Langrish to Poland last year, officers added.

He was arrested the following day and has now been sentenced to 15 years in prison for multiple child sex offences.

Languish was also sentenced to another three years on licence at Hove Crown Court.

The victim, who was 10 years old when the abuse began, reported the offences to Sussex Police in 2011.

Police said that in 2016, Interpol discovered Langrish was living in Sweden with Swedish citizenship.

He was interviewed by Swedish police, but as a Swedish citizen was protected from extradition back to the UK, they added.

'Appalling crimes'

An international warrant was issued for his arrest should he leave Sweden, and in May 2023 Sussex Police was alerted by the National Crime Agency that Langrish was in Poland.

He was brought back by the Metropolitan Police's extradition team in July 2023 and taken into custody at Heathrow Airport the same day.

Langrish was subsequently charged with four counts of indecency with a child and four counts of indecent assault on a child.

He was found guilty on all counts at Chichester Crown Court ahead of his sentencing.

Det Sgt Becki Buckley said: "Glenn Langrish thought he could hide in Sweden and not have to face justice for his appalling crimes.

"This investigation should send a clear message to victims of sexual offences that we will stop at nothing to get you the justice you deserve."

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