JAMES LEE FROM RODBOURNE AND TOOTHILL SENTENCED FOR RAPE OF 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN SWINDON

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Rodbourne and Toothill, a 19-year-old man named James Lee has been sentenced to 16 months in prison after being convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl. The incident took place following a gathering last summer, during which alcohol was consumed by those involved.

According to court proceedings, Lee was drinking with the young girl, who was a friend of a 15-year-old girl he knew. Lee claimed that he believed the girl was 16 years old at the time of the incident. However, under the law, it is impossible for a girl under the age of 13 to legally consent to sexual activity, which rendered the act a clear case of statutory rape.

Prosecutor Colin Meeke outlined the details of the case to Swindon Crown Court, explaining that the victim was friends with a 15-year-old girl, who was also acquainted with Lee. On Sunday, June 30 of the previous year, Lee contacted the older girl, suggesting they meet up for the afternoon. The two met at an address in Toothill, where they consumed alcohol together.

Following this, the group moved to Lee’s residence. It was at this location that the 12-year-old girl went into a bedroom with Lee, where sexual activity took place. Mr. Meeke stated that initially, Lee believed the girl was around 15, similar in age to his other friend. It was only later that he learned she was actually 12. The evidence presented indicated that Lee’s claim of believing she was 16 was not sufficiently challenged, although the basis for this belief was questionable, as it was linked to the older girl being 15 and how Lee arrived at the conclusion she was 16.

When the girl failed to return home that night, her family reported her missing to the police. Upon her return, she confided in her sister about what had happened. The older girl confronted Lee about the incident, to which he denied any wrongdoing and refused to answer police questions. However, police found a message on Lee’s mobile phone that read, “Why do girls lie about their age?”

Lee, who resides on Jennings Street in Rodbourne, pleaded guilty to the charge of raping a child under the age of 13. His defense lawyer, Rob Ross, argued that the girl had been sexualized at a young age and was a willing participant in the activities. Ross suggested that Lee’s imprisonment was unnecessary, claiming he had learned his lesson.

Judge Douglas Field, presiding over the case, sentenced Lee to 16 months in prison and ordered him to register as a sex offender for ten years. In his remarks, the judge acknowledged the disturbing nature of the case, stating, “She was sexualized beyond her years. I have read the material that has been put in this case. There was no physical force applied to her, no threats or intimidation, and I am satisfied that the sexual activity that occurred was not against her will. It is all very well to say that this young girl behaved older than she was and she was sexualized beyond her biological age of 12, but the law is there to protect girls of this age.”

This case highlights the ongoing concerns about the exploitation and protection of minors in the Swindon area, particularly in the neighborhoods of Rodbourne and Toothill, where the incident took place.