Detective Constable Tracey Dixon on the case
Detective Constable Tracey Dixon has won plaudits for helping a blind and autistic victim of sexual abuse to find justice. Frank le Duc reports
Tracey Dixon has something of a track record when it comes to handling complex cases. The 40-year-old Brighton detective has also picked up plaudits for her work on a number of occasions, most recently for helping a blind and autistic victim of sexual abuse to find justice. She had to delve deep into the past to find information that proved crucial when the case came to trial.
Faced with the evidence that she amassed, the abuser, a family friend, pleaded guilty to seven charges and was jailed for three and a half years. His defence lawyer had tried to argue that the 22 year old was a woman with behavioural problems. Detective Constable Dixon checked school, social services and medical records across three counties to find the diagnosis of autism that proved pivotal. She said: “Because the victim was autistic, she didn’t have the capacity to consent.”
She was presented with a formal certificate of congratulations by Emma Daniel, an independent member of Sussex Police Authority at an official ceremony last week. The Brighton and Hove divisional commander, Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett, said: “DC Tracey Dixon is congratulated for her investigation into historic sexual offences committed against a blind and autistic woman.
“Tracey’s tenacity and trust in the victim uncovered significant evidence from school records which ultimately led to a guilty plea from 52-year-old Sehar Raj and a commendation from Judge Lawson for her care, dedication and hard work which was noted as exceptional in what was a highly sensitive and difficult case.”
After Raj, of Orchid View, Stanmer Heights, Hollingbury, was jailed, DC Dixon said: “Sehar Raj is a despicable individual who broke the trust and took advantage of a vulnerable adult who was unable to protect herself. I am pleased that he received a custodial sentence due to the seriousness of the offences committed and no longer poses a threat to his victim.”
Judge Michael Lawson made an order banning him from contacting the woman in future. DC Dixon was one of dozens of officers, support staff and members of the public who were recognised for their courage, dedication and service last week. At the Crew Club in Whitehawk, Chief Superintendent Bartlett shared stories that read as though they came from the pages of a Peter James crime novel.
One of them was about a quick-thinking teenage boy who thwarted a security van robbery in Moulsecoomb without any thought for his own personal safety. Four men were jailed for a total of 22 years as a result of his actions. Another was about an 11-year-old girl who saw someone she knew steal a mobile phone. She tried to get the phone back and stayed with the victim until the police arrived. Her courage in identifying the family friend and her accurate account of the mugging led to the thief pleading guilty at Brighton Youth Court.
Chief Superintendent Bartlett read the citation for three officers who earned a Royal Humane Society Award for saving a suicidal man from the freezing choppy sea in January – PC Stuart Kerr, PC Alex Mitchell and Sergeant Steve Rayland. And Chief Constable Martin Richards presented a Chief Constable’s Commendation to seven officers who risked their lives trying to save three youngsters from a burning building near Churchill Square. One of those trapped was a child of three. The officers were Sergeant Jim Davidge and six PCs – Sam Bruce, Raffaele Cioffi, Leigh Cobb, Dawn Osborn, Michelle Palmer-Harris and David Rose.
Chief Superintendent Bartlett added: “These awards are an opportunity to recognise the outstanding commitment demonstrated by those who work for Brighton and Hove division. The day is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the achievements of the whole team as well as the courage and dedication that our teams demonstrate every day of the year.”
