JONATHAN HORNE FROM WITHERNSEA SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN HULL

In a case that has shocked the local community of Withernsea and the wider Hull area, Jonathan Horne, aged 47, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 18 years for a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of young girls. The sentencing took place at Hull Crown Court following a six-day trial during which a jury found Horne guilty of ten serious charges, including rape, sexual activity with a child under the age of 13, and indecent assault.

These disturbing crimes were committed while Horne was residing in Withernsea, a seaside town known for its quiet streets and close-knit community. The court was informed that the abuse spanned several years, beginning in the early 1990s and continuing into the late 1990s. The victims, who came forward years after the incidents, confronted Horne and secretly recorded their interactions with him, which played a crucial role in securing his conviction.

The court heard harrowing details of how, between 1993 and 1997, Horne groomed and sexually assaulted one of his victims, who was only 14 at the time. The abuse escalated, and a year later, he raped her. On one particularly distressing occasion, when the girl was 15 and under the influence of alcohol, she awoke to find Horne raping her. This incident marked a particularly dark chapter in the case.

In addition to this, Horne was also convicted of sexually abusing a second girl, who was just ten years old at the time. Despite her brave decision to speak out, her allegations were initially dismissed and labeled as attention-seeking or lies, which added to her trauma. The second victim, in a heartfelt victim impact statement read aloud in court, described herself as feeling “broken” and expressed how the abuse had permeated every aspect of her life. She stated, “There is not an area of my life that has not been affected by this. I have been allowing this experience to ruin my life.” She also revealed that she was not believed at first, which compounded her suffering, and that her childhood was stolen from her.

The prosecution, led by Claire Holmes, highlighted the lengthy four-year process from the initial police hearing of the allegations to the eventual trial. She emphasized the emotional toll on the victims, stating, “They have been reliving this for almost four years.” The second victim shared her ongoing struggles, saying the trauma has left her feeling angry and distrustful of others. She described suffering from flashbacks and difficulties forming relationships, adding, “I never realized I had been abused and raped. Sometimes I become so angry it consumes me.” She further explained that her trust issues and emotional struggles have persisted throughout her adult life, and that reporting the abuse led to a breakdown.

Both women disclosed that they have battled suicidal thoughts as a result of the abuse inflicted by Horne. The first victim expressed her despair, saying, “I feel like I don’t have a place in this world. This has been so much pressure because I don’t know who I am anymore. It has been torture.” Despite the pain and suffering, both victims are now hopeful about rebuilding their lives, comforted by the fact that Horne is now behind bars.

Horne’s defense lawyer, David Godfrey, pointed out that Horne’s criminal record was otherwise unremarkable. He acknowledged Horne’s efforts to lead a productive life and stated that his client was aware of the significant prison sentence he faced. However, Judge Mark Bury, presiding over the case, emphasized the gravity of the crimes and the impact on the victims. He noted that the lengthy delay in bringing Horne to justice was partly due to his reluctance to admit guilt during recorded interviews, which took place in 2015, four years before the trial in 2019. The judge remarked that this delay had greatly affected the victims and their ability to find closure.

In conclusion, the court’s decision reflects the seriousness of Horne’s offenses and the profound harm caused to his victims. The community of Withernsea and Hull can now be assured that justice has been served, and Horne will spend a significant portion of his life incarcerated for his crimes.