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JAMES EVANS FROM GODALMING AND HASLEMERE SENTENCED FOR 1997 INDECENT ASSAULT ON 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL
In a landmark case that spanned over a decade, James Evans, a 33-year-old man residing on Charterhouse Road in Godalming, has been convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison for the kidnapping and indecent assault of an 11-year-old girl. The incident, which occurred on October 18, 1997, took place on National Trust land at Bunch Lane in Haslemere, a picturesque area known for its scenic beauty and popular outdoor spots.Evans was formally charged on June 25 of the previous year, following a lengthy investigation that ultimately led to his conviction. The victim, now 21 years old, testified in court about her harrowing experience. She recounted that she was approached by Evans, who introduced himself as Tom and claimed he had lost his dog. At the time, she was out with a friend and her younger brother, and she agreed to help him, unaware of his true intentions.
According to her testimony, Evans led her away from her companions into a secluded wooded area, where he threatened to tie her up and then forced her to perform a sexual act. Despite the passage of time, the victim was able to identify Evans during the trial, and her account was supported by forensic evidence. A DNA sample taken from a stain on her top matched Evans’s DNA profile, a crucial piece of evidence that contributed to his conviction.
It was not until May 2006 that police, investigating Evans for other allegations involving three young girls in a supermarket, recognized his likeness from an electronic facial identification image (e-fit) from 1997. This breakthrough was instrumental in linking him to the 1997 assault, which had remained unsolved for nearly a decade. The case was further complicated by Evans’s denial of involvement, claiming mistaken identity.
During an 11-day trial, the jury deliberated thoroughly before reaching a unanimous verdict of guilt in less than three hours. The court heard that the victim could still identify Evans from a line-up conducted ten years after her ordeal, underscoring her clear memory of the attacker. Judge William Wood, presiding over the case, sentenced Evans to 10 years in prison and ordered him to be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life. The judge expressed concern over Evans’s apparent lack of remorse and emphasized the importance of protecting the public from potential future harm.
Detective Sergeant Matthew Durkin paid tribute to the victim’s bravery, highlighting her enormous courage and determination in seeing justice served. He also praised the police investigation, which was significantly aided by advances in forensic technology over the past decade. The case exemplifies the police force’s commitment to pursuing justice for victims of historic crimes, regardless of how much time has passed.
Further investigations into Evans’s activities revealed additional disturbing material. A search of his home uncovered numerous indecent films on his computer. It was also revealed that Evans had previously pleaded guilty to 20 counts of downloading indecent images of children in a separate case, indicating a pattern of disturbing behavior. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of diligent police work and the resilience of victims in seeking justice, even many years after the initial crime.