MICHAEL BLAKE SENTENCED IN EWYAS HAROLD FOR CHILD SEXUAL OFFENSES

In October 2018, a disturbing case unfolded involving Michael Blake, a pensioner residing in Callowside, Ewyas Harold, who was convicted of heinous sexual offenses against a young girl. The victim, an eight-year-old girl, endured a traumatic assault that has left lasting scars, prompting outrage from her family and the community alike.

According to court reports, Blake was found guilty of multiple charges, including sexually assaulting the girl by removing her trousers, touching her inappropriately, and performing a sexual act upon her. The severity of his actions was compounded by the fact that he admitted during police interviews that this was not an isolated incident. He confessed to having previously molested at least six other young children, revealing a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior that spanned several years.

The charges Blake faced included one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and three counts of sexual assault against a child under the age of 13. These offenses occurred between January 1 and July 31 of the same year, all against the same young girl. The court heard that Blake’s actions had a profound impact on the victim, who was so overwhelmed by her trauma that she did not provide a victim impact statement. However, during an interview, she described Blake as “gross, mean and yuck,” highlighting her distress and the severity of her experience.

Prosecutor Giles Nelson emphasized Blake’s long-standing sexual attraction to children, noting that he had acknowledged these tendencies since his teenage years. The prosecution argued that Blake’s conduct involved a degree of planning, with evidence suggesting grooming behavior and deliberate efforts to isolate the victim. The attack was characterized as a sustained incident, reflecting a calculated and predatory approach.

In sentencing, Judge Nicholas Cole acknowledged that Blake did not specifically target the victim but had encouraged her, even buying her an ice cream during the incident. The judge expressed that, despite the absence of a victim personal statement, he recognized the lasting impact the offenses would have on the girl and her family. He stated, “You will, in essence, have robbed her of her innocence.”

While the judge noted Blake’s admission of sexual feelings towards children dating back to his late teens and his previous misconduct involving approximately six girls, he clarified that he was not sentencing him for those past offenses. Given Blake’s lack of prior convictions, the court did not find him to be a dangerous offender but still imposed a significant sentence. Blake was sentenced to 40 months in prison and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order restricting his contact with children.

Following the hearing, a family member of the victim, who requested anonymity for legal reasons, expressed their outrage at the sentence. They described it as “pathetic” and argued that Blake should have received a life sentence. The family member stated, “If he did not get caught, he would be doing it to someone else. It will ruin her life, especially when she gets older. They should never let him out for what he has done to a child. I hope he dies in there.”

This case underscores the ongoing concerns about child protection and the importance of stringent sentencing for offenders who commit such grave crimes, especially in small communities like Ewyas Harold where the impact resonates deeply among residents.