GEORGE JONES FROM ST MARTINS ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRLS

In a case that has shocked the community of St Martins, a 59-year-old man named George Jones was recently subjected to a court hearing in Shrewsbury after being found guilty of a series of heinous sexual offenses committed over a span of more than two decades. Despite the jury's clear verdict that Jones had committed multiple acts of sexual assault and rape against young girls, the court decided that he would not face imprisonment due to his mental health condition.

During the proceedings, Judge Peter Barrie addressed the court and emphasized that although the jury had established Jones's guilt on 14 out of 15 charges, a psychiatric report had concluded that Jones suffers from a mild learning disability. This condition rendered him unfit to enter a formal plea, which significantly influenced the sentencing decision. As a result, the judge imposed a two-year supervision order on Jones, coupled with a continuing requirement for him to report his whereabouts and details to the police for the next five years.

Judge Barrie expressed his reservations about the leniency of the sentence, stating, “The sentence must seem to all concerned as totally inadequate. You would otherwise have been facing a long period of imprisonment, but given your condition I have limited sentencing powers open to me.” He further acknowledged that Jones was aware of his actions when he sexually abused two girls between 1976 and 1982, and a third girl between 1991 and 1996. The judge stated, “You indecently assaulted and raped these young girls and I am quite sure you knew what you were doing and the harm you were causing.”

The evidence presented in court detailed the extent of Jones’s crimes, which involved three children. The charges included five counts of indecent assault and two counts of rape of a five-year-old girl. The same girl was also subjected to indecent assault and rape when she was between the ages of seven and ten. Additionally, Jones faced four counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape involving a second child under 13, as well as three counts of indecent assault against a third child under 13.

The psychiatric report described Jones as suffering from a mild form of retardation, accompanied by depressive symptoms, poor concentration, and complaints of fatigue and anxiety, especially when left alone. It was noted that he had been prescribed anti-depressants to manage his mental health issues. Despite these conditions, Judge Barrie pointed out that Jones had not committed any further offenses in the last 15 years and that no treatment could be deemed beneficial at this stage.

In closing, Judge Barrie praised the bravery of Jones’s victims for coming forward and providing evidence, but he also expressed his disappointment that for many years, nobody appeared to have taken action or even been aware of the abuse. He remarked, “This has been very harmful to three young people,” highlighting the lasting impact of Jones’s actions on his victims and the community of St Martins.