JOHN SMITH SENTENCED IN EXETER FOR GROOMING AND SEXUAL ASSAULT IN BASINGSTOKE
John Smith, aged 49, of High Street, Basingstoke, and formerly from Exeter, has been sentenced after grooming a girl starting at age 13 and progressively abusing her before forcing her to have full sexual intercourse in December last year.The victim was too afraid to report the abuse initially but confided in a school friend via Snapchat shortly after the final assault.
The girl told her friend she was scared to go to the police, but her friend agreed to contact authorities, which allowed forensic experts to collect conclusive evidence of the rape.
Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and three counts of sexual assault.
At Exeter Crown Court, Judge David Evans sentenced him to nine years and eight months in prison.
Smith will also be registered as a sex offender for life and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 25 years.
During the sentencing, the judge noted, "She was scared to say anything to anyone in authority and worried about telling anyone what you were doing.
I have read her victim personal statement.
It is clear the impact on her of your abuse has been serious and she is struggling.
She is facing the prospect of months of therapeutic work." The judge added, "No sentence that I can pass can ever repair the harm that you have done.
She was vulnerable because of her age and you have caused significant psychological damage.
You seem to have little understanding of the effect on her." The court commended the girl for her courage and her friend for their quick action that facilitated forensic evidence collection, which left Smith no option but to admit guilt.
Prosecutor Jason Beal stated that the abuse began when the girl was 13, initially involving touching over clothes, which grew more severe over the next two years.
The abuse culminated in a December 2018 assault where Smith raped her vaginally and anally.
The ordeal ended when he said, "I better stop or I will make you pregnant." The police were contacted after the girl’s friend discovered the Snapchat conversation and prompted her to report the abuse.
The girl then provided a full statement detailing the earlier incidents.
Defense lawyer Mr.
Brian Fitzherbert explained that Smith admitted his guilt early on, avoiding the victim from giving evidence in court.
He also noted that Smith has been a hardworking man with no prior convictions and has expressed remorse and regret, according to a probation report.
