KENNETH FREEMANTLE PORTLAND SEXUAL PREDATOR SENTENCED IN BOURNEMOUTH COURT

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Portland and the surrounding areas, Kenneth Freemantle, aged 56, has been sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed over a span of thirty years. The conviction was handed down at Bournemouth Crown Court in January, following a lengthy trial where Freemantle was found guilty of two counts of rape, ten counts of indecent assault, and one sexual assault.

Throughout the proceedings, Freemantle maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all the historic allegations. The victims, all now adults, were unable to be publicly identified due to legal restrictions designed to protect their privacy. The court heard disturbing details of the abuse, including the fact that one of his young victims contracted a sexually transmitted disease after being raped by Freemantle. During her testimony, she described how the assault made her feel “worthless,” highlighting the profound emotional trauma inflicted upon her.

Another victim recounted an incident where Freemantle punched her in the face, resulting in a black eye. Freemantle claimed that the injury was caused by “an accident during play fighting,” but the injury was severe enough to require hospital treatment. She expressed her feelings of shame and embarrassment during her testimony, revealing the lasting impact of the assault on her mental health.

In total, Freemantle was convicted on 13 counts, with sentences ranging from 14 years to 12 months. The court ordered that he serve a 14-year sentence consecutively, followed by a six-year term, while the remaining sentences are to run concurrently. The emotional toll on the victims was evident, as many were seen in tears as the sentence was announced.

Judge Peter Johnson delivered a stern judgment, stating, “You, it seems to me Freemantle, have no sexual boundaries whatsoever. You have been and remain a sexual predator. The normal standards of behaviour applicable in society do not seem to apply to you, so you think.” In addition to the prison terms, Freemantle was also subjected to an indefinite sexual offences prevention order, aimed at restricting his future conduct and protecting the community from further harm.

Freemantle’s crimes have left a lasting scar on his victims and serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and justice in addressing sexual abuse within communities like Portland.