Brighton man jailed for child sex offences

A Brighton man who sexually abused three girls has been jailed.

James Quinto, 31, of Kingswood Street, sexually abused the victims over a number of years around 2010 when they were between seven and 18 years old.

Quinto was as young as 10 when he was carrying out the offences, which continued into his 20s.

Police were made aware of the offending in 2021, when a woman reported having been sexually assaulted by Quinto as a child.

She approached the police after two women she knew disclosed being victims of Quinto in similar circumstances, including one who alleged she was raped as a child on several occasions.

Quinto was arrested and subsequently charged with rape of a girl under 13, six counts of penetrative sexual activity with a girl, four counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching and one count each of assault by penetration against a girl under 13, and sexual assault.

At Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday, 25 March, he was found guilty of six counts of penetrative sexual activity with a girl, two counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching and one count each of assault by penetration against a girl under 13, and sexual assault.

He was found not guilty of rape and two counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching.

At the same court on Tuesday (17 June), Quinto was jailed for seven years.

Detective Constable Hannah Elmer said: “James Quinto’s victims have grown up with the trauma of his crimes, each having to come to terms with their experiences in their own way.

“They have shown incredible strength and determination to report him to the police and support this investigation. I know how challenging this has been for them, but thanks to their resolve, he has faced justice for his crimes.

“If you are a victim of sexual offending, no matter how long ago, please report it to us online or via 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.”