A detective is in the running for a top award after putting a serial rapist behind bars for almost three decades. Ian Elliott was described by his victims as a monster who ruined their lives - but the hard work of Detective Constable Victoria Ashworth-Kirby means he is facing the consequences for his depraved actions. The millionaire offender, from North Heath, near Pulborough, drugged, raped and filmed his attacks on teenagers and young men between 1999 and 2021.
DC Ashworth-Kirby initially secured ten charges against Elliott, including rape and voyeurism, but when she took over the case, her investigation led to an additional 82 charges being authorised. Some 92 charges were placed against the 71-year-old, making it one of the largest cases for Sussex Police last year. She managed hundreds of pieces of evidence across multiple platforms, including working alongside a specialist able to date VHS tapes based on the frequency of its images.
Read more: Millionaire drugged, raped and filmed attacks on teenagers and young men Her work uncovered more victims than initially thought, and she has been commended by colleagues for the support provided to them. The detective said: “The victims in this case have shown remarkable strength to support these prolonged proceedings, while we sought to secure the justice they deserve. "They must live with the impact of these crimes for the rest of their lives.
It is right that this dangerous man will likely spend the rest of his life behind b.