DAVID JONES FROM ELLESMERE PORT ESCAPES JAIL AFTER ABUSING TEENAGER IN THE 1970S

In a case that has resurfaced decades after the events, David Jones, a resident of Chester Road in Ellesmere Port, was convicted of abusing a teenage girl during the 1970s but narrowly avoided immediate imprisonment. The court heard that Jones, who is now 71 years old, had a history of grooming and abusing a young girl who was a member of the local church community.

Jones’s offending behavior took place over approximately a year when the girl was between the ages of 14 and 16. During this period, he would often give children attending the church a lift home, but he made it a point to ensure that his young female victim was the last to be dropped off. He would take back roads to avoid being seen and would stop the car at secluded spots, creating opportunities for inappropriate conduct.

According to court records, Jones, a retired IBM employee, engaged in multiple acts of indecent assault. These included kissing the girl on the mouth on at least three separate occasions, touching her breasts beneath her clothing on at least three occasions, and placing her hand into his trouser pocket. The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, described Jones as a charismatic and popular figure within the church, often seen as 'Mr Cool' and someone who initially seemed to dislike her, prompting her to try harder to gain his approval.

Prosecutor Simon Parry outlined that Jones’s actions were driven by his own sexual gratification. The abuse began when Jones was approximately 25 to 27 years old, between 1972 and 1974, and the victim was significantly younger. The court was told that the abuse escalated to the point of unlawful sexual intercourse, although the Crown Prosecution Service could not pursue charges for this specific act due to the statute of limitations.

At the time of the abuse, Jones’s wife was pregnant with their first child. The court heard that the victim believed she had a special relationship with Jones, feeling flattered and desirable, which led her to naively believe in a bond that was, in reality, manipulated and exploited by Jones. The impact of this abuse has had lifelong repercussions on her mental health and personal relationships. She reported that her personality, confidence, and attitude towards sex were profoundly affected. The experience caused her to have difficulties with her family, led to anxiety, and negatively influenced her career.

She last saw Jones at her father’s funeral in 2007, an encounter that she described as difficult and revealing of her disillusionment with the church community and Jones himself. She had initially hesitated to report the abuse, fearing repercussions for Jones’s family, but concerns about his continued involvement with children prompted her to come forward. In March 2017, Jones was interviewed by police but chose to make no comment.

Judge Simon Berkson, presiding over the case at Chester Crown Court, described Jones’s conduct as grooming and preying upon a vulnerable young girl for his own sexual gratification. The judge emphasized the profound and lasting impact on the victim, who had lived with the secret for many years. Despite acknowledging Jones’s health issues and his wife’s serious health condition, which required constant care, the judge decided to suspend the prison sentence.

Jones was sentenced to a total of 24 months, but this was suspended, meaning he would not serve time immediately. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for ten years and pay £500 towards prosecution costs. The judge stated that immediate custody would cause unnecessary suffering to Jones’s wife, who was dealing with her own health challenges, and thus opted for a suspended sentence to balance justice with compassion.