Man sought over Witterings sex assault in 1970's

Detectives from West Sussex are seeking to trace a man connected to a current investigation into a reported sexual assault in the East and West Witterings area some time during the late 1970's.

The victims of the sexual assaults were three brothers who were aged between 5 and 8 at the time of the assaults. The boys were alleged to have been assaulted on numerous occasions by the man who had been invited to stay in their family home as a guest. 

Detective Constable Mark Burgess said:  "We are seeking information about a man called Kevin Collins who worked in the Witterings as a gardener and odd-job man during the mid to late 1970's. He is described as being at the time in his forties, with fuzzy hair, skinny with a gaunt face, and 5'6"- 5'7". Collins was always scruffy and had really dark tanned skin as if he was a frequent sunbather. We believe that he may have come from somewhere in Kent originally, possibly the Gravesend and North Kent area.  

"If anyone has any information about this man or his current whereabouts, could they please contact us via 101 quoting serial 0874 of 8/9. You can also call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.  

"Although these allegations relate to a period more than 30 years ago, they have only recently been reported to us. Regardless of the time that has gone by since we will always treat such allegations seriously and in confidence, and we will ensure people reporting are also referred to independent counselling and welfare support if needed."  

The police currently have no photograph of Collins, and no further information about him. The assaults allegedly happened at the home of the boys in East Wittering and elsewhere in the Witterings where the man was working as a gardener. Some further information about the boys and their home is being withheld in order to protect their public identification.