JOHN BLENCOWE'S NIGHTMARE: CHOLSEY CHILD ABUSER ON DAY RELEASE ATTACKS THREE-YEAR-OLD GIRL
| Red Rose Database
Cholsey Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the quiet village of Cholsey near Oxford, a convicted paedophile named John Blencowe, aged 22, committed a heinous act while on a day release from a secure hospital. The incident involved the abduction and sexual assault of a three-year-old girl, an event that has raised serious questions about the safety protocols surrounding the release of dangerous offenders.
Blencowe, who had been granted permission to leave Fairmile Hospital on eight separate occasions to travel to Reading for therapy sessions, was seen by the child's mother pulling down her underwear after she had disappeared down an alleyway with a man. The mother, overwhelmed with distress and anger, publicly demanded a thorough inquiry into how such a dangerous individual was allowed out in the community, especially given his known history.
According to court proceedings, Blencowe's outings from the hospital were not clandestine; he had been observed lurking around the village, with local residents unaware of his past. Four years prior, Blencowe had admitted to attacking two young girls, a fact that should have been a red flag for authorities. Despite this, he was released under supervision, which has now come under intense scrutiny.
Blencowe was sentenced to seven years in prison for indecent assault and an additional three years for abducting the three-year-old girl, with these sentences to run concurrently. The court also ordered that upon release, he should be subject to indefinite psychiatric supervision. The judge, Paul Clark, expressed grave concerns about Blencowe's mental health, stating that psychiatric reports indicated he had not responded to treatment and posed a significant risk to children in the foreseeable future.
During the sentencing, the judge emphasized that Blencowe's condition was unlikely to improve, and he was considered a serious threat. He pointed out that Blencowe had been given a degree of freedom after four years of treatment but was seen hanging around areas where children played shortly after his release. The judge questioned the safety of such arrangements, asking how many other individuals like Blencowe might be being released into the community.
In a powerful statement, the judge condemned Blencowe's actions, saying, “When the opportunity arose, you led this girl away to be assaulted to satisfy your highly perverted sexual instincts. My first duty is to protect the public from you.” The child's mother echoed this sentiment, asserting that while the rights of offenders are recognized, the community's right to safety must take precedence. She expressed her concern about the apparent leniency in the system, especially noting that patients in secure units can sometimes sign themselves out without proper security measures.
Prosecutor Anthony Fogg highlighted that Blencowe had been considered responsive to treatment and had been allowed out multiple times, including a recent trip to Reading for therapy. However, on March 4, the nightmare unfolded. The young girl was outside her home playing when she was abducted. Her mother looked up to find her gone, but luckily, her eight-year-old cousin saw her talking to a man, which led to the discovery of the attack.
Blencowe initially ran away when challenged but later denied any involvement in the incident. He was convicted after a three-day trial. The case has prompted the West Berkshire Priority Care Service, which manages Fairmile Hospital, to review its policies regarding patient releases. A hospital spokesperson expressed regret over the incident, stating that Blencowe's release was based on the belief that he was responding well to treatment, allowing for gradual steps toward unescorted leave, all approved by the Home Office.
In the aftermath, the community and the victim's family are demanding stricter safeguards to prevent such tragedies from recurring. The case has cast a long shadow over the system of supervised releases for dangerous offenders, raising urgent questions about community safety and the adequacy of current protocols.
Blencowe, who had been granted permission to leave Fairmile Hospital on eight separate occasions to travel to Reading for therapy sessions, was seen by the child's mother pulling down her underwear after she had disappeared down an alleyway with a man. The mother, overwhelmed with distress and anger, publicly demanded a thorough inquiry into how such a dangerous individual was allowed out in the community, especially given his known history.
According to court proceedings, Blencowe's outings from the hospital were not clandestine; he had been observed lurking around the village, with local residents unaware of his past. Four years prior, Blencowe had admitted to attacking two young girls, a fact that should have been a red flag for authorities. Despite this, he was released under supervision, which has now come under intense scrutiny.
Blencowe was sentenced to seven years in prison for indecent assault and an additional three years for abducting the three-year-old girl, with these sentences to run concurrently. The court also ordered that upon release, he should be subject to indefinite psychiatric supervision. The judge, Paul Clark, expressed grave concerns about Blencowe's mental health, stating that psychiatric reports indicated he had not responded to treatment and posed a significant risk to children in the foreseeable future.
During the sentencing, the judge emphasized that Blencowe's condition was unlikely to improve, and he was considered a serious threat. He pointed out that Blencowe had been given a degree of freedom after four years of treatment but was seen hanging around areas where children played shortly after his release. The judge questioned the safety of such arrangements, asking how many other individuals like Blencowe might be being released into the community.
In a powerful statement, the judge condemned Blencowe's actions, saying, “When the opportunity arose, you led this girl away to be assaulted to satisfy your highly perverted sexual instincts. My first duty is to protect the public from you.” The child's mother echoed this sentiment, asserting that while the rights of offenders are recognized, the community's right to safety must take precedence. She expressed her concern about the apparent leniency in the system, especially noting that patients in secure units can sometimes sign themselves out without proper security measures.
Prosecutor Anthony Fogg highlighted that Blencowe had been considered responsive to treatment and had been allowed out multiple times, including a recent trip to Reading for therapy. However, on March 4, the nightmare unfolded. The young girl was outside her home playing when she was abducted. Her mother looked up to find her gone, but luckily, her eight-year-old cousin saw her talking to a man, which led to the discovery of the attack.
Blencowe initially ran away when challenged but later denied any involvement in the incident. He was convicted after a three-day trial. The case has prompted the West Berkshire Priority Care Service, which manages Fairmile Hospital, to review its policies regarding patient releases. A hospital spokesperson expressed regret over the incident, stating that Blencowe's release was based on the belief that he was responding well to treatment, allowing for gradual steps toward unescorted leave, all approved by the Home Office.
In the aftermath, the community and the victim's family are demanding stricter safeguards to prevent such tragedies from recurring. The case has cast a long shadow over the system of supervised releases for dangerous offenders, raising urgent questions about community safety and the adequacy of current protocols.