GARY JONES FROM ALSAGER SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN STOKE-ON-TRENT

In December 2018, Gary Jones, a man residing in Alsager, was handed a severe prison sentence of 17 years after being found guilty of a disturbing and prolonged campaign of sexual abuse against a young girl. The court proceedings revealed that Jones, aged 39 at the time, had committed a series of heinous acts over a span of ten years, including multiple counts of rape and other sexual offences.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that the victim, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, endured years of silence about the abuse. It was only after police investigations that Jones was apprehended in 2016. The court detailed the extent of his misconduct, which included forcing the girl to touch his private parts, compelling her to perform sexual acts on him, touching her inappropriately, engaging in sexual acts with her, and ultimately raping her.

Prosecutor Ben Lawrence addressed the jury, describing the grooming process and the progression of Jones’s offending. He stated, “The defendant groomed, sexually abused and raped his victim. He told her, ‘You need to learn all of this for when you are older. You are lucky you have got me to teach you’.” The prosecutor emphasized that Jones’s sexual misconduct escalated to the point where he succeeded in raping the girl.

Gary Jones, who lived on Talke Road in Alsager, faced multiple charges, including four counts of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13, two charges of raping a child under 13, causing a child to watch a sexual act, two counts of attempted rape, and two counts of rape. He was, however, acquitted of charges related to making indecent images of a child.

Following his conviction, Jones was ordered to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. Additionally, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed to restrict his contact with young girls, aiming to prevent further harm.

During sentencing, Judge David Fletcher condemned Jones’s actions, stating, “Your appalling behaviour towards this girl has had catastrophic consequences for her. I’ve listened to some harrowing evidence from the victim, and seen you on the witness stand and lie constantly for the whole of your evidence. Be under no illusion, your behaviour towards this girl has ruined her life. She’s trying very hard to deal with the emotional scars that have been created by you.” The judge’s words underscored the severity of the crime and its lasting impact on the victim’s life.