A detective is in the running for a top award after putting a serial rapist behind bars for almost three decades.

Ian Elliott was described by his victims as a monster who ruined their lives - but the hard work of Detective Constable Victoria Ashworth-Kirby means he is facing the consequences for his depraved actions.

The millionaire offender, from North Heath, near Pulborough, drugged, raped and filmed his attacks on teenagers and young men between 1999 and 2021.

DC Ashworth-Kirby initially secured ten charges against Elliott, including rape and voyeurism, but when she took over the case, her investigation led to an additional 82 charges being authorised.

Some 92 charges were placed against the 71-year-old, making it one of the largest cases for Sussex Police last year.

She managed hundreds of pieces of evidence across multiple platforms, including working alongside a specialist able to date VHS tapes based on the frequency of its images.

Read more: Millionaire drugged, raped and filmed attacks on teenagers and young men

Her work uncovered more victims than initially thought, and she has been commended by colleagues for the support provided to them.

The detective said: “The victims in this case have shown remarkable strength to support these prolonged proceedings, while we sought to secure the justice they deserve.

"They must live with the impact of these crimes for the rest of their lives. It is right that this dangerous man will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars."

Elliott, a married father of two, turned rooms above the garages at his rural mansion into a home studio he called The Penthouse.

He groomed his victims with foreign holidays, trips in his helicopter and on board his boat as well as cash and nights out.

Then he carried out sometimes violent sexual abuse and rapes of the men often involving riding boots, straps and a wetsuit.

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The court heard how Elliott used a variety of drugs on the young men and kept a sharps box in The Penthouse for used needles.

“I have had incredible support from my force colleagues during this investigation and from Police Now since joining the force.

"I am proud of the results of this investigation and am humbled by the award nominations.

“Whilst nothing can eliminate the ordeal the victims have been subjected to, knowing that we have removed a dangerous predator from the streets hopefully provides at least a small comfort and a sense of closure to the victims, who have demonstrated great courage and perseverance.”

Ian Elliott, 71, of North Heath near Pulborough, was accused of committing 92 offences against six victims in West Sussex between 1999 and 2021 (Image: Sussex Police) DC Ashworth-Kirby joined Sussex Police in 2021 via Police Now’s National Detective Programme, which recruits, trains and supports graduates to become qualified detectives and investigators in two years. 

She will now be up for the Alumni Impact Award at the annual Police Now awards later this year.

Detective Chief Superintendent Miles Ockwell said: “This case demonstrates the value that the Police Now programme has given to policing.

"The programme has exposed Victoria to the type of investigation which might previously have required years of navigating traditional entry routes.

“Victoria’s outstanding detective work is demonstrated by the number of charges she secured and the lengthy sentence coming from them, and I am delighted to see that being rewarded by this nomination.”

On top of her Police Now award nomination, Victoria has also been nominated for Sussex Police’s Student Officer of the Year award for the second year running.

At Lewes Crown Court on November 2 last year Elliott pleaded guilty to 11 counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, 17 counts of voyeurism, eight sexual assaults, four counts of possession of Class A, B and C drugs, one count of causing actual bodily harm and one count of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Read more: Serial sex offender jailed for ‘campaign of rape’ gets sentence increased

The guilty pleas related to four victims, aged between 16 and 28 at the time of the offences.

One victim told the court last year: "There are years I will never get back.

"This monster was not the man we all believed him to be. I still, and will be for a long time, be picking up the pieces of his mess.

"I suffer from nightmares and I long for the day this case is not consuming my brain and we can live a normal life.

"I don't remember what happened and I did not consent to it. If that's not abuse, I don't know what is.

"Not only is he a rapist, sexual abuser and liar, he is a con artist and a monster."

Elliot's sentence was increased at the court of appeal, which said it was "unduly lenient", from 18 years to 27.