Darren Pollard Sileby SEX OFFENDER'S SENTENCE REDUCED IN LEICESTER COURT
| Red Rose Database
Sileby Rapist
In a significant development in the case of Darren John Pollard, the man from Sileby who was convicted of a series of heinous sexual offenses against minors, his original prison sentence has been substantially reduced by the Court of Appeal. Pollard, aged 48 and residing on Wellbrook Avenue in Sileby, had previously been sentenced to 19 years in prison for a disturbing pattern of abuse spanning over a decade.
His crimes date back to the 1980s, when he was still a teenager and young adult. The offences involved multiple young girls, some as young as six years old, whom he subjected to various forms of sexual abuse, including forcing them to perform sex acts and other serious sexual misconduct. These crimes remained hidden for many years, only coming to light long after they were committed. The court heard that the offences against one girl, in particular, involved her being only six years old at the time of the abuse.
Pollard's criminal activities extended beyond the abuse of children. Several years after the initial offences, he was convicted of attacking a woman in a hotel. His convictions included rape, attempted rape, eight counts of indecent assault, and a sexual assault on the woman. These charges painted a disturbing picture of a man with a long history of sexual violence.
In February 2014, Pollard was found guilty at Leicester Crown Court of 11 charges, which included four counts of rape, three counts of indecent assault, three counts of gross indecency, and one sexual assault. As part of his sentence, he was also subjected to a lifelong sex offenders prevention order and was registered on the sex offenders register for life. The police and victims' advocates praised the bravery of those who came forward to report the crimes, acknowledging the courage it took to confront such a perpetrator after so many years.
However, the case took a turn when Pollard appealed his sentence. The appeal was heard by Mr Justice MacDuff, alongside Lord Justice McCombe and Judge Anthony Morris QC. During the hearing, the judges scrutinized the severity of the original sentence, which was set at 19 years. The court was informed that the offences, although serious, were not classified as rape at the time they were committed, and the conviction for rape was subsequently downgraded to indecent assault.
Mr Justice MacDuff delivered the court’s ruling, stating that the original sentence was 'significantly' excessive. He emphasized that societal attitudes towards such offences have evolved since the 1980s, and if Pollard had committed these crimes today, he might have faced a longer sentence. Nonetheless, the judges concluded that the appropriate total sentence should be reduced to 11-and-a-half years, reflecting a more proportionate punishment for the crimes committed.
In summary, the court’s decision marked a significant reduction from the initial 19-year term, highlighting the ongoing debate about sentencing standards and the recognition of changing societal perspectives on sexual offences. Pollard’s case remains a stark reminder of the long-lasting impact of childhood abuse and the importance of justice for victims, even many years after the crimes occurred.
His crimes date back to the 1980s, when he was still a teenager and young adult. The offences involved multiple young girls, some as young as six years old, whom he subjected to various forms of sexual abuse, including forcing them to perform sex acts and other serious sexual misconduct. These crimes remained hidden for many years, only coming to light long after they were committed. The court heard that the offences against one girl, in particular, involved her being only six years old at the time of the abuse.
Pollard's criminal activities extended beyond the abuse of children. Several years after the initial offences, he was convicted of attacking a woman in a hotel. His convictions included rape, attempted rape, eight counts of indecent assault, and a sexual assault on the woman. These charges painted a disturbing picture of a man with a long history of sexual violence.
In February 2014, Pollard was found guilty at Leicester Crown Court of 11 charges, which included four counts of rape, three counts of indecent assault, three counts of gross indecency, and one sexual assault. As part of his sentence, he was also subjected to a lifelong sex offenders prevention order and was registered on the sex offenders register for life. The police and victims' advocates praised the bravery of those who came forward to report the crimes, acknowledging the courage it took to confront such a perpetrator after so many years.
However, the case took a turn when Pollard appealed his sentence. The appeal was heard by Mr Justice MacDuff, alongside Lord Justice McCombe and Judge Anthony Morris QC. During the hearing, the judges scrutinized the severity of the original sentence, which was set at 19 years. The court was informed that the offences, although serious, were not classified as rape at the time they were committed, and the conviction for rape was subsequently downgraded to indecent assault.
Mr Justice MacDuff delivered the court’s ruling, stating that the original sentence was 'significantly' excessive. He emphasized that societal attitudes towards such offences have evolved since the 1980s, and if Pollard had committed these crimes today, he might have faced a longer sentence. Nonetheless, the judges concluded that the appropriate total sentence should be reduced to 11-and-a-half years, reflecting a more proportionate punishment for the crimes committed.
In summary, the court’s decision marked a significant reduction from the initial 19-year term, highlighting the ongoing debate about sentencing standards and the recognition of changing societal perspectives on sexual offences. Pollard’s case remains a stark reminder of the long-lasting impact of childhood abuse and the importance of justice for victims, even many years after the crimes occurred.