SIMON TURNBULL SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS IN PENRITH FOR CHILD RAPE CRIMES

In a case that has shocked the community of Penrith, Simon Turnbull has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 14 years after being found guilty of heinous crimes involving the sexual assault of a young girl under the age of 13. The incident, which took place during the first half of 2018, has left a lasting scar on the victim and has drawn significant attention from local authorities and the judicial system.

According to court proceedings held at Carlisle Crown Court, the victim, whose identity remains protected, was so deeply traumatized by the abuse that she was unable to speak during police interviews. Instead, she had to communicate her feelings and experiences by writing in a notebook, a testament to the severity of her emotional distress. The court heard that the young girl expressed her feelings towards her attacker with a simple yet powerful statement: “I hate him.”

Simon Turnbull, a resident of Fairhill Road in Penrith, faced multiple charges related to his criminal conduct. He pleaded guilty to one count of child rape, which involved a single incident, as well as a second charge that detailed multiple assaults on the same child. These additional offenses occurred on at least four separate occasions between January 1 and July 31, 2018. The court was told that the repeated nature of the abuse underscored the predator’s persistent and calculated behavior.

Prosecutor Tim Evans emphasized the emotional toll on the victim, highlighting her inability to speak freely during police interviews due to her distress. The court was also informed that Turnbull had no prior criminal record before these offenses. However, his actions demonstrated a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior, which Judge Peter Davies described as causing “devastation.”

During the sentencing, Judge Davies condemned Turnbull’s conduct as a “persistent course of conduct committed for your own sexual gratification,” underscoring the gravity of his crimes. Turnbull’s remorse appeared minimal, as a probation officer noted an “alarming lack of victim empathy” during assessments. As part of his sentence, Turnbull was also ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to protect the community from further harm.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and swift justice in protecting vulnerable children from sexual predators within the Penrith area and beyond.