DUNCAN JONES FROM LILLINGTON SENTENCED FOR RAPE OF 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN WARWICK

In a case that has shocked the local community, Duncan Jones, a 43-year-old man from Lillington, was sentenced to eight years in prison for the heinous crime of raping a young girl. The incident, which involved a series of disturbing sexual assaults, took place over a period of time and culminated in a grave act of rape against a 12-year-old girl. Jones appeared at Warwick Crown Court accompanied by his partner and their young child, highlighting the personal circumstances surrounding the case.

During the proceedings, Jones was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was permanently barred from working with children. Initially, he denied the charge of raping the girl, although he admitted to two counts of indecent assault. It was only during a hearing last month that he changed his plea to guilty, acknowledging the severity of his actions.

The case was adjourned to allow for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. Prosecutor Jane Sarginson revealed that concerns had been raised by the girl’s mother, who became suspicious of an inappropriate relationship between Jones and her daughter. Additionally, the girl’s school had noted changes in her behavior, prompting social workers to investigate. Despite these concerns, the girl initially denied any inappropriate conduct had occurred.

However, Jones was found to have violated a court order that prohibited him from contacting the girl. He disregarded this restriction by sending her numerous inappropriate text messages, further compounding his misconduct. The situation escalated in the spring of 2003 when the girl, suffering from nightmares, finally disclosed the abuse by writing down her experiences. She revealed that Jones had told her he wanted to marry her and get her pregnant, which added a disturbing layer to the case.

Miss Sarginson explained that the first indecent assault involved Jones kissing the girl and touching her intimately beneath her clothing. The girl admitted she did not tell her parents or anyone else about the incidents out of fear of Jones. When Jones was arrested in July 2003, he initially denied any inappropriate behavior. However, he later failed to surrender to bail and was not re-arrested until the following year, in 2004.

Defense lawyer Peter Freeman acknowledged that Jones had a good employment history but had fallen into alcoholism, which led to the loss of his job and a decline in his personal life. Although he initially denied the rape allegations, Jones eventually accepted responsibility after viewing part of the girl’s police interview, which was instrumental in the case being re-listed and his plea change. Freeman stated that Jones had expressed remorse and shame for his actions.

Judge Christopher Hodson sentenced Jones to eight years in prison, emphasizing the gravity of the crime. In his remarks, the judge stated, “She was 12 years old at that time. She was used by you for your sexual gratification over a period of time, and you eventually committed an extremely grave offence of rape on this girl.” The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of such crimes on young victims and the importance of justice in protecting vulnerable members of society.