JASON MOULDING FROM UPPER STRATTON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN SWINDON

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Upper Stratton and the surrounding areas, Jason Moulding was recently involved in a heinous criminal act that led to his imprisonment and subsequent legal proceedings. The incident took place in the early hours of December 21, 2008, when Moulding, then 32 years old, unlawfully entered a family home in Stratton, a suburb of Swindon, through an unlocked back door.

According to court records, Moulding's intrusion was not merely a trespass but escalated into a sexual assault involving a mother and her 14-year-old daughter who were sleeping at the time. The teenage girl was the first to wake up, feeling a terrifying presence in her room. She saw Moulding leaning over her bed, engaging in inappropriate touching by fondling her thigh and breast. Her screams alerted her father, who was also asleep in the house, prompting him to chase Moulding out of the residence.

The court heard that Moulding's actions inflicted significant emotional trauma on the family. The young girl was so distressed by the incident that she was unable to sleep in the same bed afterward, and the entire family experienced heightened anxiety and anger over the violation of their privacy and safety.

At the time of his arrest, Moulding claimed to have been suffering from blackouts caused by excessive alcohol consumption. However, during psychiatric evaluations, he also admitted that a voice in his head had instructed him to commit the assault. These admissions contributed to the court's assessment of his mental state and the severity of his actions.

In July 2009, Moulding was convicted at Swindon Crown Court of trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence, sexual assault, and sexual activity with a child. He was sentenced to five years in prison, with an additional five-year extended license period designed to monitor his behavior closely after release. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the crimes, noting the presence of aggravating factors such as his deliberate entry into the home and attempts to prevent the family from calling the police by disconnecting the phone.

During the sentencing, Judge Douglas Field highlighted the gravity of the offenses, especially considering the vulnerability of the victims. Moulding, who bears a distinctive star tattoo on his neck, was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was prohibited from working with children in any capacity. The court also mandated that he serve a further five years on license following his release.

However, in a subsequent appeal in July 2010, the Court of Appeal reviewed Moulding’s sentence. Mr Justice Maddison, along with Lord Justice Toulson and Mr Justice Hickinbottom, presided over the case in London. They acknowledged the serious nature of the crimes but ultimately decided that the original five-year sentence and extended license period were excessive given Moulding’s lack of prior sexual offenses. The court reduced his custodial term to four years and shortened the license period accordingly.

This case underscores the ongoing concerns about home invasions and sexual offenses in the Swindon area, particularly in the Upper Stratton neighborhood, and highlights the legal system’s efforts to balance punishment with considerations of individual circumstances.