ADRIAN BARNETT AND SICKENING ASSAULT IN BATH AND WILTSHIRE

A disturbing case has emerged involving Adrian Barnett, a man now aged 43, who committed heinous acts of sexual assault and violence against a 13-year-old girl during the late 1990s. The assault took place while Barnett was acting as a babysitter, a position of trust he exploited in the most reprehensible manner.

The incident reportedly occurred in Melksham, Wiltshire, where Barnett was babysitting the young girl. During this period, which falls between 1996 and 2000, Barnett allegedly held a knife to her neck while subjecting her to sexual assault and indecent acts. The girl, traumatized by these events, was initially unable to confide in authorities or report the assault at the time it happened. It was only after a thorough investigation conducted by Wiltshire Police that new details emerged, leading to the reopening of the case.

Following a detailed review and further inquiries last year, police managed to identify Barnett as the perpetrator. Officers revisited the case and spoke again to the victim, who is now in her early 30s. Her bravery and willingness to confront her ordeal played a crucial role in bringing Barnett to justice. The investigation uncovered that Barnett, who at the time was living in Twerton, Bath, used his position as a babysitter to abuse the girl, showing a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior.

Wiltshire Police officials, including Detective Chief Inspector Jeremy Carter, expressed their condemnation of Barnett’s actions, describing him as a violent man who displayed no remorse for his crimes. "Adrian Barnett is a violent man who has shown no remorse for his actions," DCI Carter stated. He further emphasized the gravity of the case, noting that Barnett had abused his trust as a caretaker to commit these acts against an innocent child.

The culmination of their investigative efforts led to Barnett’s recent sentencing, which resulted in a prison term of six and a half years. Authorities hope the sentence provides some measure of justice for the victim, who endured significant emotional trauma. DCI Carter paid tribute to her bravery and courage throughout the ordeal, acknowledging that her resilience was central to ensuring her attacker was held accountable.

"I would like to take this opportunity to praise the victim in this case who has shown a huge amount of bravery and courage throughout," said DCI Carter. "While this man’s actions will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on her life, I hope that this sentencing will help her to rebuild and move forward."

The police also issued a call to other potential victims, urging those who may have suffered similar abuse to come forward. They emphasized the importance of addressing past crimes, regardless of how much time has passed, to prevent offenders like Barnett from escaping justice.

In closing, DCI Carter commended the officers and staff who worked tirelessly on the case, highlighting their close work with the victim to ensure Barnett’s incarceration. He reaffirmed the police department’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and bringing predators to justice, no matter how long ago the crimes occurred.