JAMES ASPINALL SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON IN MOLD FOR RAPE AND ASSAULT

A highly manipulative convicted rapist with a documented pattern of targeting young girls has received a life sentence. James Thomas Aspinall, 23, who has no fixed address, appeared via videolink at Mold Crown Court on Friday, March 18. He faced charges of two counts of rape and one of assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH) and was sentenced to life imprisonment by Judge Timothy Petts.

Prosecutor Simon Mills explained that the offenses occurred in November 2019 when Aspinall was 20 years old. The incidents happened at a communal living area within flats in Connah's Quay. Mills described how Aspinall was alone with his victim and became angry over her behavior earlier that evening. During this altercation, Aspinall hit her with a chair, struck her across the face, and placed both hands around her throat.

Subsequently, the first count of rape occurred just moments later. After she mentioned to Aspinall that she might already be pregnant from before that night, he responded by kicking her in the stomach. The court was told that the victim was left feeling isolated and had no means to leave the flats. Aspinall then confiscated her phone, preventing her from contacting anyone for help. When he discovered texts she had sent to friends asking for assistance in returning home, he became enraged again and raped her a second time.

In her victim personal statement read aloud in court, she expressed that Aspinall had "made it feel normal" for her to be in a relationship involving violence and rape. She described the profound impact it had on her life, including loss of confidence, happiness, dignity, and her sense of self. The statement also revealed that the assault damaged her current relationship and that she had been diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Aspinall was characterized as "extremely manipulative" during the proceedings. A psychiatric report described him as posing a high risk of serious future offending if released. Defense lawyer Dafydd Roberts acknowledged Aspinall’s efforts in opening up to psychiatrists and noted that "a number of issues were raised." He stated that Aspinall still had "a lot of maturing and developing to do" and that only time would allow for his rehabilitation. Roberts emphasized that Aspinall would need to demonstrate he is safe to be released and that he should be monitored very carefully if that happens.

In his closing remarks, Judge Petts expressed hope that the victim could find some closure over time. He apologized for the delayed proceedings. The judge highlighted the psychiatric report’s findings that Aspinall exhibited a fascination with controlling others and had a troubling pattern of targeting young girls for sexual gratification. Because of the unpredictable nature of this risk, Judge Petts sentenced Aspinall to a minimum of nine years and ten months in prison on the two rape counts, after which he would be eligible for parole. Additionally, a restraining order was issued without a specified duration. Aspinall faced no separate penalty for the assault charge.