Eastbourne man jailed for rape and sexual offences against child

A 44-year-old man from Eastbourne has been jailed following his conviction for rape and sexual offences involving a teenage girl.

Jamie Vile was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on Monday (18 May) after being convicted of six offences relating to the rape of, and sexual activity with, a female child.

He was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment and made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The offences were committed between 2023 and 2025 when the victim was aged between 13 and 15 years old.

The offending first came to light in August 2025 and Vile was arrested on 10 August, 2025. He was charged on 12 August, 2025, and appeared before Brighton Magistrates’ Court the same day where he was remanded in custody.

Vile denied the offences, and the case proceeded to trial at Lewes Crown Court on 4 February, 2026. Following a trial lasting almost four weeks before HHJ Van Der Zwart, the jury returned guilty verdicts on six of the 11 charges on 24 February, 2026. These included three counts of sexual activity with a child, one alternative count of sexual activity with a child, one count of causing / inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one count of rape.

He was found not guilty of three counts of rape, one alternative count of sexual activity with a child, and one offence of sexual activity with a child relating to a second victim.

Vile appeared before the court on Monday, 18 May to be sentenced.

The officer leading the investigation, Detective Constable Tania Snashall from the Sussex Police Iris Team said: “It is down to the bravery of the victim in this case speaking out that the offending of this man came to light.

“The fact he chose to deny the offences throughout the investigation and subjected the victim, as well as witnesses, to giving evidence in court speaks volumes of his inability to accept responsibility for what he had done.

“No sentence can ever reflect the seriousness of the offending where the defendant took advantage of the young female who trusted and looked up to him.

“I hope the victim and her family can now begin the process of rebuilding their lives and moving forward from this.”

Police continue to encourage anyone who has been the victim of sexual offences to report it. Reports can be made online or by calling 101. In an emergency always call 999. Victims will be listened to, supported and treated with respect.

For more information visit: Support after rape and sexual assault | Sussex Police

If you are a victim of sexual offending in Sussex, we and our partners will do all we can to support you. There are a range of independent partner services, including:

• Survivors Network: providing emotional and practical support
• Life Centre: trauma-informed therapy and counselling services
• Mankind: dedicated support for male victim-survivors delivered by men
• Veritas Justice: independent support for victims of stalking

Find out more about the free support available to victim-survivors of crime on the Safe Space Sussex website.