ALLAN JONES FROM NELSON JAILED FOR 16 YEARS IN SPAIN AFTER CHILD ABUSE CASE
In a case that spanned over three decades, Allan Jones, a man originally from Nelson, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after being convicted of multiple child abuse offenses.The disturbing case came to light after allegations surfaced in 2011, leading to an international effort to bring Jones to justice.
Jones, who was 72 years old at the time of his arrest, had been living in Spain, specifically in the small town of L’Olleria, situated roughly midway between Valencia and Benidorm.
His whereabouts had been unknown for many years, prompting authorities to issue an international arrest warrant for him.
It was only in May of this year that Spanish police located and apprehended him at his residence in L’Olleria.
Initially detained in Valencia, Jones was subsequently transferred to Madrid, where he spent 32 days in custody.
Following this period, he was flown back to the United Kingdom to face legal proceedings.
On June 14, Jones appeared before magistrates in Blackburn, where he was formally charged with 25 sexual offenses dating from 1977 to 1984.
During the court proceedings, Jones admitted to seven counts of rape involving a young girl, along with three charges of indecent assault and two counts of gross indecency with a child, all related to the same female victim.
Additionally, he pleaded guilty to seven indecent assault charges involving a young boy.
However, he denied six other rape charges and two counts of cruelty to a child, which remained on the court record.
Judge Andrew Woolman sentenced Jones to 16 years in prison, emphasizing the profound impact of his crimes.
The judge noted that the female victim had testified about how Jones had 'taken her childhood away.' Prosecutor Mark Lamberty revealed that Jones had threatened the girl, warning her that she would be taken into care if she disclosed what had happened to her.
The court also heard that the male victim had suffered from depression and had made attempts on his own life as a result of the abuse.
Throughout the proceedings, Jones’s defense attorney, Richard Taylor, highlighted his client’s poor health, including diabetes, and lack of prior criminal history.
Taylor stated that Jones, who expressed remorse and wished to apologize to his victims, was unlikely to survive his prison sentence, suggesting that he would almost certainly die behind bars.
The court acknowledged the severity of the crimes and the lasting trauma inflicted upon the victims, leading to the substantial sentence handed down to Allan Jones.
