Police praised the courage of Alex Fullard’s victims after he was sentenced at Hull Crown Court
A “sickening” sex offender who targeted three young children and subjected them to a series of horrific rapes and sexual assaults has been jailed for 21 years. Alex Fullard, 31, was also handed a further eight years on licence when he was sentenced at Hull Crown Court and will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Fullard admitted 15 offences on the first day of a trial including five counts of rape of a child under 13, three counts of rape, three counts of attempted rape of a child under 13, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 by touching, sexual assault of a child under 13, and causing and inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
An investigation into Fullard’s actions began in 2021 when two women came forward to report a series of rapes and sexual assaults he had subjected them to when they were children. They also claimed the abuse had then continued when they became adults.
As enquiries of this nature can be extremely traumatic and intrusive, the two women did not feel ready to continue being involved following their initial report. A Humberside Police spokesperson added: “The women were given wider support by specialist partner agencies and were advised they could always come forward again when they were ready to do so.”
However, in December 2023, a third victim came forward to disclose that they had been sexually abused by Fullard. He was arrested at his home and subsequently charged.
He made an incriminating admission during interview which allowed detectives to reopen the investigation and reach out to the two women who had reported Fullard’s actions in 2021.
He refused to admit the allegations and a trial date was set for July 2025. However, due to the “overwhelming evidence” against him, Fullard eventually pleaded guilty.
Leading the investigation was Detective Constable Jack Somers from Humberside Police’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) Unit, who said: “This has been an extremely extensive, and intrusive investigation, and I admire the courageousness of the three victims and their families for taking that first step in coming forward to report the horrific crimes they were forced to live through at such a young age.
“Crimes of this nature are impermissible regardless of the age of the victims, but for Fullard to take advantage of innocent young children by raping them, sexually assaulting them and also abusing their trust in him is outright sickening.
“Whilst I know the sentence imposed upon Fullard will by no means take away the trauma inflicted on the three victims and their families, I hope that it provides some closure to the victims and gives them an opportunity to move forward.
“We would strongly appeal for any child who is or has been sexually abused and manipulated into doing something they don’t want to do, or anyone who suspects crimes of this nature are taking place, to please speak to a trusted adult or friend, and when you are ready, report it to us. We take all reports of this nature extremely seriously and will do everything we can to bring individuals like Fullard to justice.”
Fullard will also be subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order. If you have been a victim of sexual offences or know someone who has, you can report it to police directly via the non-emergency number 101 or call 999 in an emergency.