RAY DURRANT FROM BLANDFORD SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN DORCHESTER

In a case that has shocked the community of Blandford and the surrounding areas, Ray Durrant, a 61-year-old resident of Marshes Court in Blandford, was sentenced to over three years in prison at Dorchester Crown Court for heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of two young girls. The court heard that Durrant had committed multiple offenses, including five counts of sexual assault and 24 counts of possessing indecent photographs of children, all of which led to his conviction.

According to the prosecution, Durrant targeted two girls, both under the age of 12, at a private residence. The court was informed that the assaults took place on separate occasions, during which the victims sat on Durrant’s lap while playing computer games. Prosecutor Lubeya Ramadhan detailed the disturbing nature of the abuse, emphasizing the vulnerability of the young victims and the betrayal of trust involved.

Initially, Durrant denied the allegations during a police interview, attempting to dismiss the accusations. However, as the investigation progressed and charges were formally brought against him, he changed his stance and pleaded guilty to the offenses. During the police search of Durrant’s home, officers discovered a computer containing numerous pornographic images of children, which Durrant himself acknowledged. He reportedly told officers, “If anything’s going to put me away, it’s these,” indicating his awareness of the severity of his actions.

Further evidence was obtained when police seized another computer from the home of Durrant’s ex-wife in Cumbria, following his instructions. The court heard that Durrant’s behavior and possession of such material were deeply troubling and indicative of a pattern of offending.

During the hearing, Durrant’s defense lawyer, Mark Balysz, stated that his client accepted responsibility for his actions and was committed to not offending again. Mr. Balysz also revealed that Durrant had expressed a willingness to accept whatever punishment was deemed appropriate, stating on the morning of the trial, “I will accept my punishment and take it as it comes.”

Despite this, the court was visibly disturbed when a statement from the defense attempted to downplay the severity of the assaults, describing them as being at the “lower end of the scale.” This provoked a strong reaction from the public gallery, underscoring the community’s outrage.

In delivering his sentence, Mr. Justice Gray emphasized the gravity of Durrant’s crimes, stating that “no other course was possible except jail.” He highlighted the long-lasting damage caused to the victims and their families by such sexual offenses. The judge also expressed concern over a pre-sentence report, which appeared to suggest that Durrant had failed to fully recognize the impact of his actions.

Regarding the penalties, Durrant was sentenced to nine months imprisonment for each of the indecent photograph charges, to be served concurrently. For the five sexual assault charges, he received a combined sentence of 30 months. These sentences will be served together, resulting in a total prison term of three years and three months, less the 21 days he has already spent in custody. Additionally, Durrant will remain on the sex offenders register for a period of ten years, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.