Sean Langeland case: Two of his children write about how the allegations made against him and his conviction has affected their lives

Sean Langeland

Sean Langeland was found guilty by a 10/2 majority of three alleged offences: 1. Assault by penetration; 2. Sexual assault; and, 3. Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, 30 October 2023. The jury could not reach verdicts on three further allegations of sexual assault. He was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. He has always denied the alleged offences and continues to maintain his innocence in prison. In this article, two of Mr Langland's children write about how the allegations against him and his conviction has affected their lives.

My father is currently serving a 15-year sentence and has been in prison for the last three years. Our family first became aware of the allegations in 2019, and the trial did not take place until 2023. The years leading up to the trial were extremely difficult, as we lived with uncertainty and anxiety while waiting for the case to be heard. I found the trial itself deeply traumatic. I attended throughout because I wanted to hear all of the evidence for myself. During the proceedings I felt constantly anxious and physically sick with worry. Listening to the allegations being made against my father was extremely upsetting. Despite the stress of the trial, I remained confident that he would not be convicted. The moment the guilty verdict was delivered is something I will never forget. Even now, thinking about it makes me feel physically sick. I remember sitting in court and feeling completely shocked and devastated. One of the hardest moments was having to leave the court and drive home with my sister without our dad. We were both distraught. We then had the responsibility of contacting family members to tell them the outcome. At only 20 years old, I felt I was dealing with a burden that no child should have to carry. Shortly afterwards, I had to clear my dad’s flat. Being there without him was heartbreaking. Everything felt empty, and it was at that point that the reality of the situation truly hit me. I knew that life as we had known it would never be the same. When my dad was granted an appeal hearing, it gave our family hope. However, when the appeal was rejected, it felt as though we were reliving the trauma of the trial all over again. The disappointment and heartbreak were overwhelming. My dad’s imprisonment has had a lasting impact on me emotionally. I have had to adjust to life without his daily support, guidance and presence. Over time, I have become more independent because I have had no choice, but that does not lessen the pain of his absence. There have been many occasions when I have wanted my dad beside me for support, advice or simply to share important moments in my life, and that has not been possible. It is also deeply upsetting to think about the important milestones he has already missed. Since his imprisonment, he has become a grandad for the first time, and that is a moment he should have been able to experience with his family. It is heartbreaking knowing that he has missed such a special chapter of our lives. Looking ahead, it is daunting to think about how many more milestones he may miss in the years to come, including weddings, future grandchildren, and other significant family moments that can never be repeated once they have passed. Although I have learned to adapt to the circumstances, the emotional impact remains. The anxiety, grief and sense of loss have not disappeared. I continue to think about the effect this has had on our family every day. I am still waiting for the day when this chapter of our lives is over and our family can finally find peace. The events surrounding my dads conviction and imprisonment have been among the most traumatic experiences of my life, and their impact on me continues to this day.

Billie Langeland

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I first heard about the allegations being brought against my dad in a phone call from my sister who was very upset on the phone. I remember telling her not to worry as the things being said about him were so ridiculous that nothing will come of it. The months and years that followed the accusations were not easy, my dad suffered a lot emotionally to understand how two kids he had helped grow up could say this about him\par.

My dad and I have lived apart for as long as I can remember but when that verdict came through and I found out that I would not be able to see him for the next 15 years I was heartbroken. Not only was I heartbroken but I was very angry, angry at the system that had allowed this to happen. It shattered my belief in what the justice system was because it had now told me that your life can be completely destroyed by two people spreading false accusations against you if they so wish it and these accusations don't even need to be well put together they can be full of holes and blatant lies but that's still enough to rip an innocent man from his entire family. So now I only get to talk to him when he calls or when I can go to visit which is made even harder because of my job but despite it all my dad still sounds very positive whenever I speak to him and still hopes that one day justice will be served correctly

Jake Connon