DOMINIC STANLEY FROM BROMSGROVE JAILED FOR RAPE OF 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN PORTSMOUTH

In a case that has shocked the local community, Dominic Stanley, a former student of the University of Portsmouth, has been sentenced to prison for the heinous crimes involving a young girl. The offences, which occurred three years prior, involved the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl, and Stanley was convicted of these charges in a Portsmouth Crown Court hearing that concluded recently.

Stanley, who was only 16 at the time of the incidents, initially met his victim through online communication. The court was told that he then invited her to his mother’s residence in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, with the explicit intention of engaging in sexual activity. It was at this location that the first act of rape took place. The court heard that Stanley, now 19, later met the girl again after school a few weeks following the initial assault. During this subsequent encounter, he attempted to manipulate her emotionally by convincing her that she ‘loved’ him, which led to him raping her once more, this time in nearby woods.

The court proceedings revealed that Stanley believed the girl to be 14 years old when he met her, a misconception that did not absolve him of responsibility. The presiding judge, Recorder Michael Vere-Hodge QC, emphasized that this was not a case of youthful experimentation but a serious criminal act. The impact on the victim was profound; she suffered from self-harming behaviors, and her account of the events was only uncovered when her handwritten letter detailing the abuse was discovered at her home.

Throughout the trial, Stanley maintained his innocence, denying all charges. However, the jury found him guilty on two counts of rape. The judge criticized Stanley’s attitude, describing a ‘degree of arrogance’ and noting that he had persisted in claiming that the victim’s account was ‘fantasy.’ The court also heard that Stanley had manipulated the girl by making her believe she loved him, exploiting her immaturity and vulnerability for his own gratification.

Recorder Vere-Hodge condemned Stanley’s actions, stating, ‘You blackmailed her into thinking that she loved you. You were playing on her immaturity and vulnerability and you know that you took advantage of her.’ The judge expressed relief that the victim had managed to move on and was able to put much of the trauma behind her. He also condemned Stanley’s apparent lack of remorse, describing his conduct as a ‘gamble’ that did not pay off.

As a result of his conviction, Dominic Stanley, of Bromsgrove, was sentenced to six years in prison for the two offences. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender, a standard procedure in cases of this nature. The case was prosecuted in Portsmouth because Stanley was arrested while studying in the city, despite the crimes having taken place elsewhere. The sentencing underscores the severity with which the justice system treats such grave violations, especially involving minors and vulnerable victims.