WILLIAM JENKIN SENTENCED IN BRIDGERULE: SEX OFFENDER'S REIGN OF TERROR ENDS

In January 2014, William Jenkin, a man with a long history of sexual offenses, was officially released from custody after serving a prison sentence. His criminal background dates back to January 2008, when he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his heinous crimes. Throughout his legal proceedings, Jenkin was subjected to numerous strict orders designed to protect the public, especially children, from any further harm.

Among these restrictions, Jenkin was mandated to register as a sex offender for life, a measure that underscores the severity of his offenses. He was also prohibited from working with or being involved in any organized activities involving children under the age of 16. Furthermore, he was barred from residing or staying in any household where children under 16 were present. To prevent any unsupervised contact, he was forbidden from associating with children under 16 in private or public settings unless accompanied by an adult with parental responsibility who was aware of his previous sexual offending history. These measures were part of an exclusion zone, which Jenkin was explicitly banned from entering, to ensure community safety.

His criminal case was marked by a deeply disturbing account of abuse, which was detailed in court and by the victim herself. The victim, who was a young girl at the time, recounted her traumatic experiences growing up in Bridgerule, where Jenkin lived. She described her childhood visits to her grandparents’ house, where her mother’s family resided, and where Jenkin also lived. She painted a picture of a man who was overweight, often intoxicated, and frequently angry, who would demand dinner in his bedroom and was rarely seen in a clean state.

She recalled the dread she felt when she was asked to take his dinner tray to his room, knowing the stench that emanated from it. Her account became even more harrowing when she described the day at age eight when Jenkin, then 33, suddenly emerged naked from beneath his duvet, grabbing her and silencing her with his hand over her mouth. He forced her hand between his legs, whispering that it was their “special secret,” leaving her confused and terrified. She ran outside, overwhelmed by the experience, believing she had done something wrong.

Her suffering continued as Jenkin’s abuse escalated. She recounted instances where he would force her to touch him until he was satisfied, and at age ten, he raped her, an act that left her feeling humiliated and ashamed. She decided not to return for tea at her grandparents’ house, telling her mother she would no longer go, though her mother was unaware of the full extent of the abuse. The victim withdrew from her family, feeling isolated and overwhelmed by her trauma.

Years later, she sought help from her general practitioner, who prescribed antidepressants and referred her for counseling. Although she did not go into detail about her abuse, she shared her feelings of despair. Her life gradually improved, especially after she had her second child, and she continued her therapy. However, her fears resurfaced when she learned that her grandmother’s house was hosting a young girl who might have been vulnerable to Jenkin’s predatory behavior. This prompted her to break down and confide in her counselor, leading to her decision to report the abuse to the police.

Her courage to come forward was reinforced when she learned that another woman had also accused Jenkin of abuse. This confirmation strengthened her resolve to ensure he was held accountable. Despite Jenkin’s denial of all allegations, a trial was conducted. The police warned her that convictions in such cases, especially many years after the offenses, are difficult to secure. Nevertheless, she prepared herself emotionally for the court proceedings, which were held at Exeter Crown Court.

During the trial, she faced her uncle, who appeared disheveled and smirking, and saw her mother’s horrified expression. Her husband was visibly emotional, trying to support her. She recounted her traumatic experiences in court, describing the abuse she endured as a child. The jury ultimately found Jenkin guilty of multiple charges, including rape, three counts of indecent assault, and indecency with a child. However, on the judge’s direction, he was acquitted of one count of indecent assault and another of indecency with a child.

William Jenkin was sentenced to 12 years in prison and was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders register for life. As the handcuffs snapped around his wrists and he was led away, a wave of relief washed over the victim. The sound of the iron gate slamming shut behind him marked the end of his reign of terror. Her husband’s shouted words, “Get used to it you bastard,” echoed as Jenkin was taken away, symbolizing the community’s collective relief and the victory of justice.

In the aftermath, the victim expressed her feelings of liberation, stating that she was finally emerging from the darkness that had overshadowed her life for so long. She and her mother are now rebuilding their relationship, and she is training to become a counselor specializing in sexual abuse cases. Her ordeal, though devastating, has become a catalyst for her to help others and to ensure that her abuser’s actions do not continue to destroy lives.