PHILLIP LEWIS FROM CARTERTON SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE IN WEST OXFORDSHIRE

A man named Phillip Lewis, residing on Foxcroft Drive in Carterton, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of a young girl. The disturbing case, which spanned over five years, revealed a pattern of repeated assaults and exploitation that left a lasting impact on the victim.

During the trial at Oxford Crown Court, jurors heard detailed accounts of the abuse inflicted by Lewis, who denied the charges and expressed his disgust at the allegations. Despite his protests, the evidence presented was overwhelming, leading to his conviction on multiple counts. Lewis was convicted of one count of rape, one count of assault by penetration, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. All these offences involved the same young girl and took place in the early 2010s within the West Oxfordshire area.

The prosecution outlined the disturbing nature of the offences, which included Lewis molesting the girl on numerous occasions, often engaging in acts that simulated intercourse. It was also revealed that Lewis performed oral sex on the girl and would sometimes carry out sexual acts in her presence. The court was shown a recorded police interview in which the young victim bravely recounted her experiences, describing how the abuse made her feel 'disgusting.' She explained that her vulnerability as a young child made her believe that the abuse was acceptable, and she feared that speaking out would result in being 'told off' or blamed for what happened.

The girl further described the frequency of the abuse, stating that it occurred 'a lot' and was 'pretty frequent.' Her testimony highlighted the traumatic impact of the abuse, which she said left her feeling ashamed and confused. Despite the emotional toll, she attended the court hearing to face her abuser, although no victim personal statement was read out during the proceedings.

In mitigation, Lewis’s defense lawyer, Ian Jobling, emphasized that his client had been a 'productive member of the community' with a 'very good work record.' It was also noted that since being remanded in custody, Lewis had taken steps to rehabilitate himself, including applying to be a 'listener' at the prison with the Samaritans and engaging in mentoring programs for fellow inmates.

Judge Maria Lamb sentenced Phillip Lewis to a total of 14 years in prison. Additionally, Lewis was placed under a further one-year period of extended licence. He is also required to register as a sex offender, adhere to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, and pay a statutory victim surcharge. The case has left a lasting scar on the community of Carterton and West Oxfordshire, highlighting the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children from such horrific abuse.