ANDREW EDWARDS FROM RONKSWOOD SENT TO JAIL FOR GROPING TEENAGE GIRL IN WORCESTER

In June 2012, a serious incident involving a local resident from Ronkswood, Worcester, resulted in a man being sentenced to prison for his inappropriate conduct towards a minor. Andrew Edwards, a 50-year-old father of three, was convicted of groping a 15-year-old girl who was visiting his home as a guest. The court proceedings revealed that Edwards had already faced rough justice at the hands of the girl’s family, who had physically assaulted him in his own residence prior to his arrest.

During the hearing at Worcester Crown Court, it was established that Edwards pleaded guilty to charges of sexual activity with a child. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of seven years. Additionally, a Sexual Offences Prevention Order was issued, also lasting for seven years, to restrict his future conduct and protect the community.

The incident was reportedly linked to a celebration held in December 2010, following a stock car racing awards presentation, as detailed by prosecutor Samantha Forsyth. On that occasion, two girls had been resting on a sofa in the lounge of Edwards’ house when he, heavily intoxicated, entered the room and placed his hand beneath the duvet covering the girls. The 15-year-old girl was the victim of his inappropriate touch. Upon realizing what had happened, she quickly got up and went upstairs to alert others in the house. She later heard Edwards say, “My wife is going to kill me because of this,” indicating his awareness of the gravity of his actions.

The girl confided in her mother about the incident, which led to Edwards’ arrest in January of the following year. During police interviews, Edwards denied any assault, claiming instead that he had been using his computer at the time. The court heard that prior to his arrest, Edwards had been employed in a responsible supervisory role, but he had lost his job five years earlier. Despite the serious nature of the case, the defense argued that the assault was opportunistic and committed while Edwards was heavily intoxicated. They also pointed out that the impact on the victim was not long-lasting.

It was also noted that Edwards had previously been subjected to what the court described as ‘summary justice’—a physical assault by members of the girl’s family at his residence. Although the police identified those involved, no formal action was taken against them. Edwards had been married happily for many years, and the incident marked a significant breach of trust and conduct. The court’s decision reflects the seriousness with which such offenses are treated, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding minors and maintaining community safety in Worcester and the Ronkswood area.