Andrew Howell, formerly of Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, was sentenced to 18 years in prison on 25 February 2026 after being convicted of raping and sexually abusing children in the Wisbech and King’s Lynn area between 2021 and 2023. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life.
Who Is Andrew Howell?
Andrew Howell is a man aged in his late thirties who formerly lived in Wisbech, a market town in the Fenland district of Cambridgeshire. At the time of the offences, he was based in the Wisbech and King’s Lynn area and was involved in coaching gymnastics and football to children, though it has not been confirmed that the offences were directly connected to those roles. He is now believed to reside in Llandysul, Carmarthenshire.
His case attracted significant attention in the local area and across regional media due to the severity and number of charges brought against him.
The Charges Against Andrew Howell
In July 2024, Howell was charged with a total of 24 offences. These included 13 counts of sexual activity with a child, one count of rape of a child, two counts of attempted rape of a child, three counts of making indecent photographs of children, and five counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The offences involved two victims and took place between 2021 and 2023 in the Wisbech and King’s Lynn area of Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.
The case came to light when one of the victims contacted a helpline to report the abuse. Police from Norfolk Constabulary led the investigation alongside colleagues in Cambridgeshire.
Trial and Conviction
Andrew Howell first appeared in court in August 2024 and consistently denied all charges against him. The trial took place at Peterborough Crown Court, and on 1 December 2025 a jury returned a guilty verdict on all 24 counts. Howell had shown no remorse during proceedings and maintained his denials throughout, a factor noted by those commenting on the case in the aftermath of the verdict.
A sentencing hearing was subsequently scheduled for February 2026.
The Sentencing
On 25 February 2026, Andrew Howell was sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court to 18 years in prison. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life, meaning he will face strict monitoring conditions if and when he is eventually released. The length of the sentence reflected the serious and repeated nature of the offending, which involved multiple charges of child rape and abuse against more than one victim over an extended period.
Prisoners serving extended sentences in England and Wales must typically serve at least two-thirds of their custodial term before being considered for release. For information on how to book a prison visit or how the release process works, our guides cover these topics in detail. You may also wish to read our overview of the Parole Board UK and how it makes decisions on prisoner release.
Victims Speak Out
Following the sentencing, the two women who had been abused as children spoke publicly about the impact the case had on them. Both described Howell as “evil” and “manipulative” and said they finally felt free now that he had been brought to justice. The fact that one of the victims had the courage to contact a helpline was credited by investigators as central to the case coming to light at all.
Norfolk Constabulary welcomed the sentence and praised the bravery of the victims in coming forward. Support services exist for victims of child sexual abuse in the UK, and those affected are encouraged to seek help through appropriate channels. Our prison information section also outlines the rights of victims and the justice process in England and Wales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Andrew Howell from Wisbech?
Andrew Howell is a man formerly of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, who was convicted of child rape and sexual abuse offences committed between 2021 and 2023. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison on 25 February 2026 at Peterborough Crown Court and placed on the sex offenders register for life.
How long was Andrew Howell jailed for?
Andrew Howell was sentenced to 18 years in prison. He was convicted on all 24 counts he faced, including child rape, attempted child rape, sexual activity with a child, making indecent images of children, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Where did Andrew Howell commit his offences?
The offences took place in the Wisbech and King’s Lynn area of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk between 2021 and 2023. Andrew Howell was living in Wisbech at the time and had involvement in coaching children in the local area.
Why is Wisbech in the news in connection with child abuse?
Wisbech gained attention in this context because Andrew Howell, formerly of that town, was convicted of child rape and abuse at Peterborough Crown Court in December 2025 and sentenced to 18 years in prison in February 2026. Victims described feeling free following his sentencing.
Is Andrew Howell on the sex offenders register?
Yes. As part of his sentence handed down on 25 February 2026, Andrew Howell was placed on the sex offenders register for life. This means he will be subject to ongoing notification requirements and monitoring by police for the remainder of his life.
