CHRISTOPHER ROUE NABBED IN STOCKPORT FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF SIX-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE

In a case that has shocked the local community, Christopher Rouen, a 22-year-old man from Dumbarton Road in Stockport, was sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing a young girl from Quedgeley. The incident, which took place between June and September 2011, involved Rouen assaulting the six-year-old girl, with the court hearing that he not only sexually touched her but also penetrated her mouth during the assault.

At Gloucester Crown Court, Judge Jamie Tabor QC addressed the severity of the crimes, noting that the typical starting point for such offences committed by an adult on a child of that age would normally be around eight years. However, considering Rouen's age at the time of the offences and his subsequent guilty pleas, the judge decided to reduce the sentence. Specifically, he halved the usual starting point and then deducted an additional year, resulting in the three-year term.

Prosecutor Brendan Moorhouse provided insight into how the case came to light, revealing that the victim was able to confide in a family member about Rouen's actions. The girl had kept her ordeal secret for a significant period, which made her relief at finally sharing her experience evident. Moorhouse also mentioned that Rouen was interviewed on December 24 of the previous year, during which he denied the allegations but acknowledged having issues with cannabis, which he suggested might have contributed to his behaviour.

The court also heard a poignant victim impact statement from the girl, who expressed her confusion and fear at the time of the abuse. She revealed that she was too young to understand her feelings then but now experiences wariness around boys and fears they might suddenly kiss her. She shared her difficulty in trusting others, stating, “I don’t feel I can trust any man apart from my grandfather.” The girl also expressed mixed feelings about Rouen, feeling angry that he admitted his guilt in court but not directly to her. Despite her desire for justice, she also suggested that Rouen should receive support to prevent future offences, saying, “He should go to jail as a punishment but I think he needs some support so he doesn’t do it again.”

Judge Tabor addressed Rouen directly, condemning his actions as wicked and emphasizing the lasting impact on the victim. The judge acknowledged the difficulty in balancing Rouen’s age at the time with the need for justice but ultimately concluded that imprisonment was necessary. He stated, “What you did was wicked. It has had an effect on your victim since that time. It has obviously been something very much on her mind while she has been growing up. I have tried to strike a balance between the young man you were then and you are now but I have come to the conclusion, I’m afraid, that you must go away to prison. I don’t say that lightly or with any pleasure at all.”