JOSEPH DAVIES FROM BILLINGHAM SENTENCED FOR ABDUCTION AND SEXUAL ASSAULT IN TEESSIDE
In a disturbing incident that shocked the community of Billingham and the wider Teesside area, Joseph Davies, aged 23, was convicted of abducting a six-year-old girl in broad daylight and subjecting her to sexual abuse.The horrifying event took place last summer, leaving a lasting impact on the young victim and her family.
According to court proceedings, Davies had been observed loitering suspiciously around the streets of Billingham for approximately two hours prior to the assault.
Witnesses noted his unusual behavior, which culminated in him grabbing the young girl, who was playing with a friend, and leading her to an abandoned house’s garden.
The court heard that Davies, wearing a hooded garment, waited until the girl was alone before executing his plan.
Prosecutor David Lamb described how Davies took the girl, who was dressed in her school uniform, to the unoccupied property.
Minutes after the abduction, Davies fled the scene, with the visibly distressed girl following behind.
The child ran into her mother’s arms, crying and hysterical, expressing her fear and saying she never wanted to go outside again.
She pleaded for her mother not to leave her alone, clearly traumatized by the ordeal.
The young girl recounted that a man had locked her in the garden, touched her inappropriately, and carried her away.
She told the court that the man, who identified himself as Joe, had covered her mouth with his hand and warned her not to tell anyone or he would “steal” her again.
She also described how he had bound her with a piece of ribbon, which he later claimed was her idea—a claim the judge dismissed as “pure fantasy.” Her mother provided a heartfelt statement, describing the profound impact the incident had on her daughter’s behavior.
The girl’s conduct had deteriorated significantly, and she now expressed fear of sleeping alone.
The trauma had left her emotionally scarred, and her mother expressed concern over her ongoing mental health and well-being.
Initially, Davies attempted to provide a false alibi but eventually admitted to charges of kidnapping, false imprisonment, sexual assault, and attempting to commit a sexual offence.
Investigations into Davies’s phone in 2016 revealed a sexual interest in young girls, particularly those in school uniforms.
Despite this, no charges were brought at that time, and his only previous conviction was a community order for burglary in 2014.
During the sentencing hearing at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Stephen Ashurst described Davies’s actions as a “sexually motivated abduction” of a vulnerable child.
The judge emphasized that Davies had been waiting for an opportunity to strike and had planned to take her to the empty house.
The judge highlighted the terrifying and enormous impact on the young girl, who was normally cheerful and outgoing but was now deeply traumatized.
Davies, who appeared via a live video link from Durham Prison, maintained a stance of denial, claiming to have little memory of the incident and insisting he did not understand why he did it.
The judge was unconvinced by these claims, criticizing Davies’s lack of empathy and refusal to acknowledge the sexual motivation behind his actions.
He stated that Davies knew exactly what he was doing and that the only mercy was that his sentence was not longer.
In light of the evidence, Judge Ashurst sentenced Davies to an extended prison term of ten years for public protection.
This included a six-year custodial sentence, with Davies expected to serve two-thirds of that period before being considered for parole, followed by four years of extended licence.
Additionally, Davies will be registered as a sex offender for life.
The impact statement from the girl’s mother painted a grim picture of the aftermath.
She described her daughter’s increased anxiety, disruptive behavior, and difficulty sleeping alone.
The mother also expressed her own emotional distress, feeling numb and overwhelmed by guilt and anger.
She voiced fears about Davies’s potential release and the safety of the community.
Judge Ashurst concluded by condemning Davies’s denial of any sexual motivation, describing it as troubling and indicative of his dangerous nature.
The court’s decision reflects the seriousness of the crime and the ongoing threat Davies poses to society, especially vulnerable children in Billingham and the surrounding areas.
