CHARLES RUTHERFORD JAILED IN JOHNSTON FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In July 2014, a quick-thinking bystander helped bring a man to justice after he was caught engaging in sexual activity with a young girl. A judge heard how Charles Rutherford, 41, had parked his van at a layby on Pope Hill, Johnston, and followed a 13-year-old girl into the ladies' toilets. However, his movements did not go unnoticed; Benjamin Hawthorn, a passenger in a car parked nearby at the same layby, observed Rutherford entering the toilets and suspected something was amiss. Hawthorn then went into the gents' toilets to check, finding it empty of people.

Assuming Rutherford was still in the ladies', Hawthorn called the police. Two female officers responded by entering the toilets, with one knocking on a locked cubicle door. After declaring “police,” Rutherford emerged from the cubicle, with the girl seen adjusting her lower clothing. The girl was taken into police protection and later told authorities that she had been in a relationship with Rutherford.

Following his arrest, police examined Rutherford’s mobile phones alongside the girl’s devices. They uncovered over 1,500 text messages from Rutherford to her and approximately 950 messages in the opposite direction. Prosecutor Patrick Griffiths stated, “The messages made it clear what had been happening.”

Rutherford, of Llanelli, pleaded guilty to two charges of engaging in sexual activity with a child, including one instance of sexual intercourse. His defense barrister, Ian Wright, explained that Rutherford led an isolated life and had believed he was in a loving relationship, despite the significant age difference.

Judge Christopher Vosper deliberated on Rutherford's case, stating he faced a stark choice between imprisonment and a community order. Ultimately, the judge determined the offenses were too serious and sentenced Rutherford to two years and eight months in prison. The judge noted that some sexual touching likely occurred in the Pope Hill toilets. Rutherford was also ordered to register as a sex offender and will be prohibited from working with children or vulnerable adults in the future.