TREVER SHONE FROM ELLESMERE PORT SENTENCED FOR EIGHT-YEAR INDECENT ASSAULTS IN CHESTER

In a case that has shocked the community of Ellesmere Port, Trevor Shone, a 57-year-old man residing on Princes Road, has been convicted of a series of serious sexual offenses committed over a span of eight years. The conviction follows a detailed and emotionally charged trial that lasted an entire week, during which the victim was compelled to testify in court about the horrific abuse she endured.

Shone faced a total of 15 counts related to indecent assault, all of which he was found guilty of after the proceedings. The court heard how he systematically exploited the victim over many years, causing profound and lasting trauma. The sentencing took place at Chester Crown Court, where Shone appeared via videolink, and he was handed a substantial prison term of 15 years. This sentence comprises 13 years of imprisonment with an additional two years on license, reflecting the severity of his crimes.

In addition to his custodial sentence, the court imposed a lifelong sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order. These legal measures prohibit Shone from contacting or communicating with the victim in any way, aiming to prevent further harm and protect her from any potential threats.

Prosecutor Owen Edwards highlighted Shone’s criminal history, revealing that he had six previous convictions for 11 offences, with the most recent prior conviction dating back to 1991. His past offences included theft, burglary, and motoring violations, indicating a pattern of criminal behavior that predates the recent allegations.

The court also heard a poignant personal statement from the victim, who, for legal reasons, cannot be named. Her words painted a vivid picture of the profound impact the abuse has had on her life. She described feeling used for Shone’s pleasure in the worst possible way and recounted how he threatened her with violence if she told her family. Her testimony revealed a life overshadowed by fear, shame, and emotional scars.

“The abuse I suffered has had a huge impact on my life,” she stated. “I feel I was used for his pleasure in the worst possible way. He said if I told my family he would put me in a body bag. Through fear I was continually abused – I thought I was wrong to tell anyone. After the police were told, I was initially relieved, but I found myself staring into space thinking about what had happened to me. I always felt embarrassed about it. I have had nightmares and wake up crying, even now. I feel sick, I feel dirty and still spend hours in the bath trying to get clean. I have a dirty secret of the worst kind and prefer to spend my life locked away behind closed doors. I consistently feel like a disappointment, and I’m tired of feeling that. I’m fearful about any future relationship. It affects me in every way and I still feel a prisoner.”

Judge Patrick Thompson, presiding over the case, delivered a stern sentence and expressed his condemnation of Shone’s actions. “You treated her as your sexual plaything,” he stated. “When she made a disclosure at 16, she was not taken seriously. Those were different times, and thankfully the police have now taken this matter with the seriousness it deserves. The fear of being abused again has never gone away, and she had to speak about it and be cross-examined in court. The jury found you to be the liar. You showed no remorse – this was systematic abuse, and you exploited her over a substantial period of time.”

Throughout the sentencing, Shone showed no visible emotion as the judge handed down the 15-year term. Judge Thompson concluded by paying tribute to the victim, expressing hope that she will find full closure and be able to look forward to a brighter future after the ordeal she endured.