EDWARD GREENING SENTENCED TO 13 YEARS IN PRISON FOR RAPE AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS NEAR COLCHESTER

In a case that has shocked the local community, Edward Greening, a 35-year-old man from South Woodham Ferrers, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 13 years after being convicted of serious sexual offenses involving young girls. The offences, which took place in a village near Colchester, spanned over a period from September 2004 to March of the following year, involving two victims aged between 13 and 16.

Greening appeared before Chelmsford Crown Court to face the charges, during which he admitted to raping a girl whose age ranged between 13 and 16. In addition to the rape, he confessed to inciting a girl to engage in sexual activities and possessing indecent images of children. His plea of guilty was seen as a significant factor in the case, with Judge Rodger Hayward Smith QC noting that it was one of the few mitigating circumstances, as it spared the victims the trauma of giving evidence in court.

The court was informed that the offences were committed in a rural setting near Colchester, although the precise location and the victims’ exact ages could not be disclosed due to legal restrictions. Prosecutor David Holborn explained that the allegations came to light when one of the victims confided in a social worker about Greening’s misconduct.

Throughout the proceedings, Greening’s defense lawyer, Jacqueline Carey, emphasized her client’s decision to plead guilty, describing it as “the decent thing to do.” She also expressed concern about her client’s ability to cope with imprisonment, highlighting the emotional and psychological toll that incarceration might impose.

In a related development, Greening’s wife, June, aged 34 and also residing on Charlotte Street in South Woodham Ferrers, faced charges of aiding and abetting the making of indecent images of one of the girls. However, during the latest hearing, the prosecution announced that it would no longer pursue this particular charge. Consequently, a formal not guilty verdict was entered, and Mrs. Greening was officially discharged by the court, ending her involvement in the case.

Overall, the case has brought to light disturbing allegations of child exploitation and abuse, with the court’s decision reflecting the severity of Greening’s crimes and the impact on his young victims. The community remains shaken by the revelations, and the legal proceedings serve as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children from such heinous acts.