A former Sevenoaks man who subjected a child to a campaign of repeated sexual abuse during the 1990s has been sentenced to 18-years in prison.
Stefan Farbrother was convicted of a string of offences, including multiple rapes, over a period spanning five years.
Concerns were initially reported to Kent Police in 2018, which led to the arrest of Farbrother in June that year. A subsequent investigation resulted in him facing thirteen charges, relating to incidents between 1991 and 1997. These charges included seven offences of rape and multiple indecent assaults.
Farbrother, 47, from Halifax, West Yorkshire denied any wrongdoing. The case went to trial at Maidstone Crown Court and in October 2023 he was convicted, by unanimous verdict, on all counts. On Monday 22 January 2024, Farbrother was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment. He was also added to the sex offenders register for life.
Leading the case was Detective Sergeant Adam Ferguson, part of a Kent Police team dedicated to investigating sexual abuse and rape. DS Ferguson said:
‘Farbrother targeted the victim over a period of many years. He subjected them to the most appalling and terrifying campaign of abuse, using violence and threats which included restraining them with handcuffs and holding a knife to their throat.
‘I would like to thank the victim, who has been incredibly brave to come forward and give evidence. The abuse has had a catastrophic effect on much of their adult life, but I do hope they can now move forward from this knowing Farbrother will be serving a lengthy prison sentence. Successful convictions such as this are just one of the reasons we continue to urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse to contact the police. It is never too late to report a sexual offence. You will be believed.’