AN investigation by Essex Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team has concluded, with a man being jailed for 15 years.

John Bliss, 43 of Greenmeadow, Gwent appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on 16 March after being found guilty of seven sexual offences against a child.

An investigation into Bliss began in 2020 after Essex Police were contacted by the brave victim, who was just a child, to disclose she had been subjected to multiple serious sexual assaults in Harlow.

John Bliss was arrested and when interviewed, he continuously denied the offences.

Following a thorough investigation from the Child Abuse Investigation Team, Bliss was charged with rape of a girl under 13, five counts of sexual assault by touching on a girl under 13 and causing a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity. Following a trial, he was found guilty of seven of the offences and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was also issued with a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Following the sentence, the victim bravely described the impact the case has had on her life:

“I have constant anxiety which feels like it’s never going away. I find myself waking up in the middle of the night, feeling alarmed and panicked because my mind is telling me that he is standing outside my bedroom.

“I don’t like being away from my home comforts because then I feel unsafe and I don’t like staying around people’s houses, I feel at risk.

“I ask myself, why me? Did I do something wrong? Did I deserve it?”

The family of the victim have said the following:

“This has been our worst nightmare. Something I never thought possible, that anything like this could happen to us. Since what happened, we have been picking up pieces to the explosion that has gone off.”

Investigating officer, Sgt Gemma Mariner said “Bliss’ actions on this vulnerable victim were evil and even once he was arrested, he didn’t have the decency to admit what he’d done, resulting in victim and her family being accused of lying.

“The public may underestimate the detrimental effect that these crimes may have on a victim and although she may never forget what has happened, I hope that this sentence can allow her to move forward. I also hope that her and her family are proud of how they have conducted themselves throughout this long investigation. Their strength has meant that a dangerous man is behind bars and cannot harm anymore children.

“In sexual offences investigations, victims are often concerned that they will not be believed and that it will be the perpetrators word against theirs, particularly in cases where we do not have any forensic opportunities. This is not the case and our Crime and Public Protection Team is formed of officers who are trained and passionate to ensure that dangerous perpetrators get their justice.”

Synergy Essex provides support and guidance for survivors of sexual and sexual abuse across Essex. The Essex Rape Crisis Partnership is formed of three organisations:
· CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) who cover mid and north Essex
· SERICC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service) who cover South and West Essex
· SOS Rape Crisis who cover Southend, Castle Point and Rochford
Survivors can self-refer and receive emotional support, specialist sexual violence and abuse counselling and or specialist advocacy services, no matter when the sexual violence or abuse occurred. In addition to this, they also offer support to survivor’s loved ones.
For more information about how to get support, visit their website: Sexual violence support and advice Essex (synergyessex.org.uk)