MICHAEL JONES FROM RADSTOCK SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND INTERNET OFFENCES

In a case that has shocked the community of Radstock, Michael Jones, a 45-year-old resident of Writhlington Court Road, has been handed a substantial prison sentence after being convicted on multiple counts of child sexual abuse and related offences. The verdict was delivered following a rigorous week-long trial at Taunton Crown Court, where the jury found Jones guilty of 18 separate charges involving the sexual exploitation of a girl under the age of 13.

Jones faced accusations of committing six counts of assault by penetration, six counts of sexual assault, and six counts of attempted rape, all alleged to have occurred between April 2005 and August 2010. These allegations painted a disturbing picture of prolonged abuse inflicted upon a young girl, with the court hearing detailed accounts of the trauma she endured.

In addition to the sexual abuse charges, Jones admitted to five counts of making indecent photographs of a child via the internet. As a result, he was sentenced to an additional two years in prison, to run concurrently with his primary sentence. The court also imposed strict restrictions on his future conduct, including a Sexual Offences Prevention Order that prohibits him from contacting individuals under 16 and limits his access to the internet.

During the proceedings, Jones’s defense lawyer, Edward Burgess, expressed the difficulty Jones faced in accepting the jury’s decision, highlighting the emotional and psychological toll such a conviction can have on an individual. However, the presiding judge, Recorder Geoffrey Mercer QC, did not hold back in condemning Jones’s actions. He described the 18 charges as clear examples of “terrible abuse” inflicted upon the young girl for Jones’s own gratification. The judge emphasized that calling it a breach of trust was an understatement, underscoring the severity of the betrayal.

“What you did was a complete betrayal… You have caused her untold damage,” Recorder Mercer stated. He explained that the victim was too frightened to disclose the abuse initially, fearing repercussions and feeling ashamed, which delayed her coming forward. The court acknowledged her courage in finally revealing the abuse, which came as a surprise to Jones, who had exerted significant control over her.

In sentencing, the judge determined that Jones would serve a total of 12 years in custody, with an additional five-year extension on licence. The court also recognized the potential risk Jones posed to the public, especially to young girls, and therefore took measures to prevent future harm. These included the imposition of the Sexual Offences Prevention Order and restrictions on his internet use.

Evidence presented during the trial revealed that police discovered indecent images on Jones’s computer. Furthermore, the jury was informed that Jones engaged in online chat rooms where he expressed and acted out sexual fantasies, following a pattern identified by the prosecution, Anna Viggars. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Radstock, highlighting the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children from such heinous crimes.