JUDGE IN BRADFORD HOPES FOR RAIN AS JOHN GLEN RECEIVES WORK ORDER PUNISHMENT

In June 2014, Bradford Crown Court heard how Judge Jonathan Rose sentenced 59-year-old John Glen, a resident of Dobrudden Farm caravan park in Baildon, after he pleaded guilty to enticing a 12-year-old girl into sexual activity in the previous year.

During the sentencing, Judge Rose expressed a twisted wish for inclement weather, stating, “I hope that the typical English weather is as inclement as possible so you can suffer even more.” He added, “You deserve to suffer. It will only be for 180 hours. This child will suffer for the rest of her life.”

The court was told that Glen, under the influence of alcohol, had lured the young girl into a toilet at a house, gave her £20, and asked, “What can you do for this?” before exposing himself. The girl fled in shock and later informed her mother.

Prosecutor Nadeem Bashir stated that Glen initially denied any wrongdoing at the time of his arrest, claiming the girl was lying. He only admitted the offence during a case management hearing at the Crown Court.

Glen’s lawyer, Stephen Wood, described him as remorseful and without prior sexual offence convictions, acknowledging that his behavior was “an appalling piece of behaviour.” Mr. Wood noted Glen had lost his job and was now engaging with mental health services, emphasizing his client's remorse and assertion that he would never commit such an act again.

Judge Rose condemned Glen’s conduct as “disgusting,” emphasizing the lifelong damage caused to the victim. He highlighted that Glen had accused the girl of lying and, because he did not admit guilt early, the girl experienced anxiety over possibly having to testify in court.

In his sentencing remarks, the judge declared, “You are 59 and she is 12. It is utterly disgraceful.” He ordered Glen to sign the sex offender register for ten years and imposed an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which prohibits him from working with children or having unsupervised contact with them.

Criticizing the prosecution, Judge Rose pointed out that despite Glen’s probation officer highlighting his high risk to children, no SOPO was initially requested, labeling this as “incredible” and stressed that such orders should be standard in similar cases.