JOSE FRANCO'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN REDHILL: 14-YEAR SENTENCE REJECTED BY APPEAL

In a case that has shocked the community of Redhill, Jose Franco, a man aged 54, has faced the full weight of justice after a series of heinous crimes committed against a teenage girl. Franco was convicted of multiple counts of sexual assault, including six counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault, following a lengthy investigation and court proceedings that revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse spanning several years.

His crimes came to light after the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, finally found the courage to confide in her mother about the abuse she had endured. The revelations prompted authorities to act swiftly, leading to Franco's arrest in September 2011 at Reigate police station, shortly after the victim disclosed her ordeal. Initially, Franco denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the sexual encounters had been consensual, but evidence and victim testimony proved otherwise.

During the trial at Guildford Crown Court in December 2011, the court heard that Franco had subjected the girl to repeated sexual assaults over a four-year period from 2001 to 2005. The prosecution detailed how Franco had threatened to kill her if she ever revealed the abuse, a tactic that kept her silent for years. It was also revealed that he had not used a condom during the assaults, claiming he could not have children, which added to the severity of his crimes.

Judge Neil Stewart sentenced Franco to a lengthy term of 14 years in prison, emphasizing the gravity of his offenses and the need for a strong punitive response. The judge acknowledged Franco's guilty pleas as a mitigating factor but underscored that the nature of the crimes warranted a substantial sentence. Franco was also placed on the sex offenders' register and subjected to a sexual offences prevention order, reflecting the ongoing risk he posed to society.

Franco's legal team subsequently appealed the length of his sentence, arguing that the initial sentencing judge had set the starting point too high and that credit should be given for his guilty pleas. The appeal was heard at London's Criminal Appeal Court on June 20 by Lady Justice Rafferty, Mr Justice Owen, and Mr Justice Griffith Williams. During the hearing, the court was informed of Franco's threats to kill the victim if she spoke out and the fact that he had not used protection during the assaults.

Despite these arguments, Mr Justice Owen dismissed the appeal, affirming that the original sentence was appropriate given the circumstances. He stated, “Such features of the case fully warranted the starting point adopted by the judge and this appeal is dismissed.” Franco's attempt to reduce his sentence was thus unsuccessful, and he remains incarcerated.

Throughout the proceedings, emotional scenes unfolded, with the victim’s mother expressing her anguish publicly. As Franco was led away to serve his sentence, she shouted from the gallery, “I hope you rot in hell for what you did,” highlighting the community's outrage and the lasting impact of his crimes. The case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable individuals from predatory offenders in Redhill and beyond.