JASON SMITH FROM SELBY AND SHERBURN-IN-ELMET SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE IN YORK
In a case that has shocked the local communities of Selby and Sherburn-in-Elmet, Jason Clive Smith, aged 32, has been sentenced to four years in prison for serious sexual offenses involving a 15-year-old girl.The court heard that Smith, a former soldier, engaged in disturbing criminal behavior by sexually abusing the young girl in his bathroom while her friend was present downstairs, unaware of the assault taking place.
Adding to the gravity of his crimes, Smith administered the legal high known as M-cat, or mephedrone, to his young victim during the assault.
At the time of the abuse, the drug was still legal, although it has since been classified as illegal following a successful campaign by the press to ban it.
The court was told that Smith’s actions were premeditated and carried out in a manner that exploited the girl’s vulnerability.
When Smith learned that police were actively searching for him in connection with the case, he took drastic measures to evade arrest.
He instructed a friend, David Robert Duane Rhodes, to provide false information to law enforcement officers in an attempt to cover his tracks.
Rhodes, aged 23 and from Meadow View, Sherburn-in-Elmet, followed Smith’s instructions and gave a fabricated statement to the police.
This act of perverting the course of justice resulted in Rhodes being sentenced to nine months in prison.
During the court proceedings, Judge Colin Burn emphasized the seriousness of the deception, stating, “In the end, you are the person who signed the statement and you are the person who told lies to police.” Both Smith and Rhodes admitted to charges of perverting the course of justice.
Additionally, Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child under 16, asserting that the girl had shown sexual interest in him, which he exploited.
Prosecutor Adrian Strong outlined the background of the victim, revealing that she had been experiencing difficulties with her mother and had engaged in self-harm prior to the incident.
The girl had visited Smith’s home earlier that year along with her friend.
Since the assault, she has been plagued by nightmares, sleep disturbances, and feelings of guilt, blaming herself for what happened.
Following the incident, police launched an intensive manhunt for Smith.
Remarkably, he voluntarily surrendered himself to authorities after seven days.
During his journey to the police station, Smith left a message on a friend’s phone, instructing her to pass it on to Rhodes.
Once police obtained the message and the phone, they discovered a recording that further implicated Smith.
Rhodes told police that he did not believe the girl had been raped and claimed that he considered Smith a friend.
His involvement was motivated by a sense of obligation, as he felt he owed Smith assistance.
Rhodes also disclosed that he was experiencing health issues and had been prescribed anti-depressants at the time.
Defending Smith, Taryn Turner argued that the girl had gone willingly to Smith’s house and that Smith had panicked upon hearing that police suspected him of rape, which led to his decision to send the message.
The defense also mentioned that Smith had a job waiting for him from a previous employer once he was released from prison, suggesting he had plans to rebuild his life.
Overall, the case highlights the disturbing nature of the offenses committed by Jason Smith and the subsequent efforts to obstruct justice, underscoring the importance of safeguarding vulnerable minors and ensuring accountability for such grave crimes.
