JOSHUA GRAY FROM DOUGLAS SENTENCED FOR ABUSE IN THE ISLE OF MAN

In December 2020, a disturbing case involving a man from Douglas, Joshua David Gray, culminated in a significant prison sentence after he was found guilty of multiple serious sexual offenses. Gray, aged 30 and currently held at the Isle of Man Prison, had previously resided on School Road in Douglas. His crimes spanned over a decade, involving the abuse of a young girl who was only six or seven years old when the initial incidents began.

Gray’s victim, who bravely came forward to report the abuse, was only 16 years old at the time of her disclosure in January of this year. The court heard that the abuse started when she was a very young child, with Gray engaging in what was described as 'periodic sexual touching.' The charges against him included two counts of indecent assault, two of gross indecency with a child under 16, and two counts of rape. The offenses took place over a lengthy period, from June 2007 to March 2019.

Deemster Graeme Cook presided over the case and detailed the nature of the abuse. He explained that the first charge of gross indecency involved a sexual act that began when the victim was approximately 14 years old. The second charge related to specific instances of touching. The court was also informed that Gray pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, which occurred between June 2014 and March 2019.

Prosecutor Rachael Braidwood outlined that Gray initially referred to his inappropriate actions as 'hugs,' although in reality, he was touching her genitals. The victim recounted to police that she had attempted to dissociate herself from Gray’s actions, indicating her struggle to cope with the trauma. She was only about 13 when the rapes started, and she believed that if she submitted to the acts once, it might make the abuse stop. Her decision to report Gray was prompted by an incident where he was intoxicated and threatened her, which caused her to have a panic attack. She confided in her boyfriend, who encouraged her to seek help from the authorities.

The girl expressed her fears about coming forward, worried she might not be believed. In her victim statement, she conveyed the profound impact the abuse had on her life, stating, “I want people to know what he did to me and how it’s affected my life and family.” She described suffering from insomnia, recurring nightmares, and a loss of trust in men, including family members. She also revealed that she had contemplated ending her own life, stating that she once looked forward to it.

Gray’s arrest was followed by silence during police caution and interviews. Further concerns arose when probation staff reported comments made by Gray while he was on bail at Tromode House. A psychiatric assessment described Gray as a 'sexual deviant' and disclosed that he had been diagnosed with multiple mental health disorders. The report also highlighted his obsession with pornography, evidenced by searches on his computer.

Deemster Cook acknowledged Gray’s guilty plea and emphasized the gravity of the offenses, which spanned many years. He remarked on Gray’s disturbing behavior, including his searches for pornography, which indicated a persistent obsession with offending. The Deemster expressed particular concern over the victim’s suicidal thoughts, describing them as deeply troubling. Addressing Gray directly, he said, “She has the rest of her life ahead of her, but the early part, the formative part, has been ruined by your acts. She has suffered serious psychological problems as a result of your behavior.”

While recognizing Gray’s genuine remorse and mental health issues, the Deemster made it clear that these factors did not excuse his actions. He praised the victim’s bravery in testifying, especially given the possibility of a trial. Gray was sentenced to nine years in prison for the two counts of rape, with concurrent sentences of two years each for the other offenses. Additionally, Gray will be on license for five years following his release and will remain on the sexual offenders’ register for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the lasting impact on his victim.