IAN PROUD FROM BOURNE FLEEING TO FRANCE AFTER SEXUAL OFFENSES WITH 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a case that has shocked the community of Bourne, Ian Proud, a 40-year-old man, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison at Lincoln Crown Court after admitting to serious sexual offenses involving a minor. The incident, which took place between January 31 and April 1 of this year, involved Proud engaging in sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl, a crime that has left many residents appalled and concerned about the safety of children in the area.

According to court proceedings, Proud was described as being “in turmoil” after he confided in his wife about his actions. The revelation prompted his wife to instruct him to leave their family home in Bourne immediately. Following this, Proud disappeared from the area, prompting police to issue a missing persons alert. The situation took a dramatic turn when Proud unexpectedly contacted his wife from France, coincidentally at the same time a police officer was speaking with her about her missing husband.

During the call, Proud’s wife handed the phone to the officer, who then engaged with him. The police officer successfully persuaded Proud to return to the United Kingdom, and he was subsequently arrested upon his arrival at Dover, having traveled from Calais by ferry. During police interviews, Proud reaffirmed his confession, and it was only after speaking with the victim that authorities confirmed the details of his misconduct.

Ian Proud, of Daisy Court in Bourne, faced multiple charges, including three counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The court heard that these offenses were committed over a period of approximately two months. As part of his sentence, Proud was not only jailed but also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes.

Judge John Pini QC delivered the sentence, emphasizing the gravity of Proud’s actions: “You were the adult and you were 40. She was 13. You knew full well you should not have been doing this.” The judge’s words underscored the breach of trust and the serious nature of the offenses committed against a minor.

During the hearing, Proud’s defense attorney, Mark Watson, acknowledged the personal toll the situation had taken on Proud, stating that he had lost his home and marriage. He explained that Proud’s decision to flee to France was driven by emotional turmoil rather than an attempt to evade police capture. Watson clarified that Proud’s brief stay in France was not intended as a means of escape but was a result of his distressed state. The court was also informed that Proud was persuaded to return to the UK while he was still in France, thanks to the intervention of the police officer who spoke with his wife and convinced him to come back and face justice.