DAVID LOOMES FROM WHETSTONE SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN LEICESTER

In July 2019, a disturbing case unfolded involving a man from Whetstone who was convicted of serious sexual offenses against a young girl. The victim, a preteen girl, took a brave step by recording a conversation with her alleged abuser on her mobile phone, which ultimately played a crucial role in bringing him to justice.

During the trial at Leicester Crown Court, it was revealed that the girl questioned David Loomes about the inappropriate touching she had endured. In response, Loomes was recorded asking her for a cuddle and making a disturbing comment, saying, "you’re a woman now." The court heard that these exchanges were part of a pattern of grooming behavior, with Loomes using physical contact under the guise of innocent gestures such as cuddling or tickling.

David Loomes, who resides on Badger Drive in Whetstone, denied two counts of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13 and a charge of inciting her to participate in sexual activity. Despite his denials, a jury composed of nine women and three men reached a unanimous verdict, convicting him of all charges after a thorough trial.

Following the guilty verdicts, Sarah Knight, the prosecutor, read out a personal impact statement from the young girl. She expressed feelings of fear and confusion, stating, "I’m feeling scared but I don’t know what I’m scared of. I feel confused about why it happened. I felt like it was my fault and that I couldn’t tell anybody." The girl also conveyed her desire for justice, saying, "I don’t know what I want to happen to him, I want the judge to decide that." Despite the trauma she experienced, she also declared her resilience, asserting that she was determined not to let what happened ruin her life.

Judge Martin Hurst addressed the court, emphasizing that grooming was involved in the case. He explained that Loomes had indecently touched the girl on multiple occasions, often under the pretense of giving her a cuddle or tickling her. The judge highlighted that when the girl confronted Loomes, he responded by giving her a cuddle and telling her not to tell anyone, which further demonstrated his manipulative behavior.

Loomes maintained his innocence, claiming that nothing sexual ever occurred between him and the girl, who was aged 11 or 12 at the time. However, the court was presented with evidence of the girl’s courage in recording their conversation, during which she asked Loomes what he was doing and pleaded, "Please don’t." The court also heard Loomes ask her for a cuddle and make the inappropriate remark about her being a woman.

In sentencing, David Loomes was sentenced to a total of six and a half years in prison. The judge also ordered that upon his release, Loomes would be required to register as a sex offender. Additionally, authorities would notify him that he is barred from working with children, reflecting the serious nature of his offenses and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.