JAMES WHITE FROM DAREN W JAIL FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN DARWEN

In a disturbing incident that took place in Darwen, a man named James White was convicted and sentenced for a serious sexual assault involving a teenage girl. The assault occurred late at night on June 25, 2023, along Bolton Road, a well-known street in Darwen. The victim, a 16-year-old girl, was walking alone when she suddenly heard footsteps behind her, prompting her to turn around and become aware of someone following her.

Without warning, James White, aged 39, approached her from behind and covered her eyes with his hands. He then forcibly dragged her to the ground, during which he uttered the words, “I don’t want to hurt you,” attempting to appear less threatening. While they were on the ground, White proceeded to stroke the girl’s thigh, despite her efforts to resist. Throughout the ordeal, he kept his hands over her face, making it difficult for her to see or breathe freely.

The brave victim, in a desperate attempt to seek help, tried to call her mother via FaceTime on her mobile phone. During this struggle, she also managed to strike White multiple times with her phone in an effort to deter him. White attempted to wrest the phone from her grasp, but the victim’s quick thinking allowed her to continue her call. It is believed that White was disturbed by the noise from her phone, which prompted him to get up and flee the scene, running towards Darwen town centre.

Despite the chaos, the victim managed to capture two crucial screenshots of her phone call, which included White’s face. These images proved vital in identifying the suspect. Law enforcement officials conducted CCTV investigations and traced a white Mercedes A180, registered to White, which was seen in the vicinity at the time of the attack. Later that same day, officers located White on Olive Lane, Darwen, and arrested him. Following discussions with the Crown Prosecution Service, White was formally charged with sexual assault and assault causing actual bodily harm. He was subsequently remanded into custody pending further proceedings.

White appeared before Blackburn magistrates on June 28, where he pleaded guilty to both charges. His guilty plea led to his remand, and he was scheduled to appear at Preston Crown Court for sentencing. On August 9, White was sentenced to two and a half years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next 15 years, a measure designed to protect the community from potential future offenses. This case highlights the importance of swift police action and the resilience of victims in the face of such traumatic events.