WILLIAM TURTON'S SHOCKING CRIME IN YEOVIL: CANNABIS-INDUCED JUDGMENT LEADS TO LENIENT SENTENCE

In November 2004, a disturbing case unfolded involving William Turton, a 31-year-old man from Yeovil, Somerset, who was convicted of engaging in sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl. The incident took place at the girl’s residence near Yeovil, where Turton was staying temporarily. The circumstances of his stay were unusual, as he was there after going out with the girl’s parents, who were unaware of his intentions.

The court proceedings revealed a troubling scene: the girl was sleeping on a sofa when Turton suddenly attacked her. Witnesses described how he shook her "like a jelly," an act that demonstrated a violent and aggressive approach. Following this, he ordered her to strip, and despite her young age and the fact that her parents were sleeping in the next room, Turton proceeded to have sexual intercourse with her.

This case was further complicated by Turton’s criminal history. He had previously been convicted in 1991 for having sex with a 15-year-old girl, which added a layer of concern regarding his pattern of behavior. However, during the trial at Dorchester Crown Court, Judge Christopher Wilson-Smith QC considered the circumstances of this particular offense. The judge noted that Turton had smoked cannabis prior to the incident, which he believed impaired his judgment.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Wilson-Smith stated that he was not sending Turton to prison due to the influence of the cannabis. The judge explained, "Because of the special circumstances I’m not sending you to prison," and emphasized that the drug had clouded Turton’s judgment at the time of the offense. The court was told that if Turton had not been under the influence of cannabis, he might have acted differently and possibly pushed the girl away.

Instead of imprisonment, Turton was given a community rehabilitation order. The judge expressed a belief that the drug played a significant role in his actions and hoped that this leniency would serve as a wake-up call. The case drew attention to the complex issues surrounding drug use and criminal behavior, especially involving minors and individuals with prior convictions.