MAN ADMITTED RAPE, ATTEMPTED RAPE, AND TWO SEXUAL ASSAULTS, INCLUDING ONE AGAINST A CHILD UNDER 13
A man responsible for sexually abusing a woman and a young girl over several years has been sentenced to prison.Allegations of rape and sexual assault against James Fletcher surfaced in June 2021.
West Midlands Police investigators later confirmed that Fletcher was responsible for multiple instances of sexual abuse involving both victims.
He was arrested and charged with various sexual offences, and his case was heard at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
During the trial, Fletcher, of Canterbury Close, Rowley Regis, changed his plea and admitted to charges of rape, attempted rape, and two sexual assaults, including one involving a girl under 13.
On November 12, the 77-year-old was sentenced to five years in prison, with an additional three years on licence.
During the court proceedings, the young woman, who was assaulted by Fletcher from the age of 12, provided a statement expressing the impact of his abuse: “Abuse from you has left lasting effects on my life and mental health, and I continue to struggle with the consequences of what happened to me.
“I felt scared and manipulated into silence, and the trauma still affects me every day.
The woman Fletcher abused, who is now an adult, said: “My family have been so supportive throughout everything, I know we can all sleep safe knowing this person has been brought to justice and not able to cause pain or misery again.” After sentencing, Detective Constable Adrian Jackson of the West Midlands Police Public Protection Unit commented: “They have shown incredible courage by speaking out, and by doing so, a sexual predator is now rightly behind bars.
“I hope anyone reading this knows that support is available in a number of different ways, and if you have experienced something similar – we are here for you.”
