MICHAEL JONES FROM BETHNAL GREEN SENTENCED FOR CHILD RAPE AND MOLESTATION IN EAST LONDON

In a case that has shocked the local community of Bethnal Green, Michael Jones, aged 58, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for heinous crimes committed against vulnerable children in his care. Jones, who served as the superintendent of the now-closed Russia Lane children’s home in Bethnal Green during the 1980s, was found guilty of multiple serious offenses involving two young girls.

One of the victims, a girl who was only five years old at the time, endured a prolonged period of abuse that spanned over six years. During this time, Jones drugged her with sleeping tablets before subjecting her to sexual acts. The abuse was not confined to the home itself; some of the assaults took place during outings to Weavers Field and Victoria Park, where Jones and an accomplice took the young girl for recreational visits. The victim, now in her 30s, courageously wrote a letter to Jones prior to his trial, revealing the lasting impact of his actions. She stated, “The thought of you has been a constant source of pain for many years. It has taken me a long time – but now I am strong enough to stand up to you. You are only a bully who did everything you could to make my life a living hell. You were merciless in your treatment of me.”

In addition to abusing the young girl, Jones also targeted a 15-year-old girl who had been placed in care at the same home. His predatory behavior extended over several years, causing significant trauma to both victims.

Jones’s arrest came in 2007 when police officers raided his flat located in Bethnal Green’s Donegal House on Cambridge Heath Road. The investigation was initiated after the two women came forward and reported their experiences to the authorities. Despite the evidence, Jones initially refused to admit guilt and denied all allegations during police interviews.

Following a thorough trial, a jury found Jones guilty of two counts of child rape, four counts of indecent assault, and two charges of indecency with a child. As part of his sentence, he was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. The case has brought to light the dark history of abuse at the Bethnal Green children’s home and underscores the importance of justice for victims of such heinous crimes.