KEITH FRANCE-SARGEANT FROM WIGAN SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS FOR REPEATED RAPE IN SARGEANT

In a case that has shocked the local community, Keith France-Sargeant, a resident of Linney Square, Scholes, Wigan, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 14 years for a series of heinous sexual offenses. The crimes, which spanned several years and involved a vulnerable teenage girl, have left a lasting scar on the victim and have drawn widespread condemnation from law enforcement and the judiciary alike.

According to the details presented in Liverpool Crown Court, the abuse began when the girl was only seven years old, with the more severe rapes starting when she reached the age of 12. Over the course of four years, until she was 16, France-Sargeant repeatedly assaulted her, often under the influence of cannabis and alcohol, which he had used to manipulate and control her. The court heard that during one particularly distressing incident, France-Sargeant forcibly restrained the girl to carry out the assault, stripping her of her childhood innocence and leaving her emotionally devastated.

One of the most heartbreaking revelations was that the girl became pregnant as a result of the abuse. The trauma was so overwhelming that she attempted to take her own life by going into the woods with her school tie, an act of despair that underscores the profound impact of France-Sargeant’s actions. Prosecutor Harry Pepper detailed the timeline of the offenses, emphasizing the prolonged nature of the abuse and its devastating effects on the victim’s mental health.

Judge Stephen Everett, presiding over the case, acknowledged the severity of the crimes and the lasting harm inflicted on the victim. While imposing the sentence, he remarked that France-Sargeant’s behavior would continue to affect the girl for the rest of her life, stating, “It will always live with her.” The judge also noted that France-Sargeant had believed himself “untouchable” at the time of the offenses, a dangerous mindset that contributed to his repeated misconduct.

In addition to the prison sentence, France-Sargeant was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, reflecting the gravity of his crimes. He pleaded guilty to five specimen rape offenses and four counts of indecent assault, a move that his defense attorney, Geoffrey Lowe, described as a sign of remorse. Lowe highlighted that France-Sargeant, who has been assessed by a psychiatrist as having poor cognitive skills, comes from a troubled background and expressed “his contrition for what he has done.”

Mr. Lowe also pointed out that his client had admitted guilt early in the process, which he considered morally and legally commendable. The court’s decision was met with relief from law enforcement officials, including Detective Constable Sarah Torrence of the Public Protection Division, who stated, “The offences committed by France-Sargeant have had a profound and lasting effect on the victim.”

She further added, “His crimes were abhorrent and I hope she finds some comfort knowing he will now spend a considerable amount of time in jail. I also want to praise her for finding the strength to come forward and report what happened. No doubt France-Sargeant thought he had got away with his heinous crimes but her bravery means a dangerous sex offender has been taken off the streets and justice served.”