ASHLEY CANE'S REIGN OF RECKLESSNESS IN BRIMPTON AND THATCHAM ENDS IN JAIL
| Red Rose Database
Thatcham Brimpton Sexual Abuser
In a stark reminder of the consequences of repeated criminal behavior, Ashley Cane, a man with a troubling history, has been sentenced to prison after a series of violations following his initial conviction for a heinous crime involving a minor.
Back in February 2018, Cane was convicted of engaging in sexual acts with a 14-year-old girl, a vulnerable minor who was self-harming at the time. Despite the gravity of his actions, the court, in a rare move, chose to suspend his prison sentence, allowing him a second chance to reform. The judge at Reading Crown Court, Judge Ian Grainger, handed down a two-year prison sentence but suspended it for two years, emphasizing the importance of compliance with certain conditions.
During the trial, it was revealed that Cane had made promises of marriage, children, and eternal love to the young girl. However, after their sexual encounter, he mocked her and called her a “slut” in front of his friends, a behavior that shocked jurors and drew public outrage. One juror expressed their disgust via a text message, stating, “You’re a wrong ’un. Stay away… she’s just a kid.” Despite this, Cane, who was then residing in Lambourn and Thatcham but later moved to Bannister Place, Brimpton, responded with a crude and obscene remark to a question about child sex, simply replying, “It’s cool.”
His initial sentence was met with an unsuccessful appeal by Solicitor General Robert Buckland QC, who argued that Cane should have been incarcerated immediately. Nonetheless, the court upheld the suspended sentence, with the condition that Cane stay out of trouble. Unfortunately, Cane’s conduct soon proved otherwise.
On December 15, at Reading Crown Court, the prosecution presented evidence of Cane’s misconduct while under the suspended sentence. Charles Ward-Jackson, the prosecutor, detailed how Cane, intoxicated, deliberately assaulted a man at Reading train station by forcefully slamming his body into the concourse, knocking him down. Witnesses also observed Cane at the station on another occasion, where he appeared visibly drunk, with glazed eyes, slurred speech, and unsteady movements.
Further incidents included Cane making racist remarks and swearing at a British Transport Police officer, leading to his arrest. He admitted to assaulting Jimmy Clancy on May 12 and to being drunk and disorderly on August 10. Cane’s criminal record is extensive, including convictions for theft, contempt of court, and causing grievous bodily harm by stabbing a man in the stomach.
During the hearing, Cane’s defense attorney, Adam Williams, attempted to shift blame onto the media, claiming that adverse press coverage had led to Cane losing his job and turning to alcohol as a form of escape. Williams argued that Cane’s confrontation with Mr. Clancy was motivated by social media criticism and that Cane had been fleeing from a group of youths who recognized him, suggesting that his actions were driven by fear. He urged the court to consider deferring the sentence.
However, Judge Grainger was firm in his decision, citing the probation service’s reports that Cane continued to arrive at programs intoxicated. The judge reminded Cane that the original suspended sentence was granted with strict conditions, including abstaining from drugs and alcohol, which Cane had violated within days of the court of appeal upholding his suspension.
In light of these violations, the judge decided to revoke the suspended sentence and impose a reduced term of 18 months imprisonment, with Cane serving half of that in custody. Additionally, Cane was ordered to pay a statutory victim services surcharge of £115. This case underscores the importance of accountability and the consequences of failing to adhere to court-mandated conditions, especially for individuals with a history of serious offenses in the Brimpton and Thatcham areas.
Back in February 2018, Cane was convicted of engaging in sexual acts with a 14-year-old girl, a vulnerable minor who was self-harming at the time. Despite the gravity of his actions, the court, in a rare move, chose to suspend his prison sentence, allowing him a second chance to reform. The judge at Reading Crown Court, Judge Ian Grainger, handed down a two-year prison sentence but suspended it for two years, emphasizing the importance of compliance with certain conditions.
During the trial, it was revealed that Cane had made promises of marriage, children, and eternal love to the young girl. However, after their sexual encounter, he mocked her and called her a “slut” in front of his friends, a behavior that shocked jurors and drew public outrage. One juror expressed their disgust via a text message, stating, “You’re a wrong ’un. Stay away… she’s just a kid.” Despite this, Cane, who was then residing in Lambourn and Thatcham but later moved to Bannister Place, Brimpton, responded with a crude and obscene remark to a question about child sex, simply replying, “It’s cool.”
His initial sentence was met with an unsuccessful appeal by Solicitor General Robert Buckland QC, who argued that Cane should have been incarcerated immediately. Nonetheless, the court upheld the suspended sentence, with the condition that Cane stay out of trouble. Unfortunately, Cane’s conduct soon proved otherwise.
On December 15, at Reading Crown Court, the prosecution presented evidence of Cane’s misconduct while under the suspended sentence. Charles Ward-Jackson, the prosecutor, detailed how Cane, intoxicated, deliberately assaulted a man at Reading train station by forcefully slamming his body into the concourse, knocking him down. Witnesses also observed Cane at the station on another occasion, where he appeared visibly drunk, with glazed eyes, slurred speech, and unsteady movements.
Further incidents included Cane making racist remarks and swearing at a British Transport Police officer, leading to his arrest. He admitted to assaulting Jimmy Clancy on May 12 and to being drunk and disorderly on August 10. Cane’s criminal record is extensive, including convictions for theft, contempt of court, and causing grievous bodily harm by stabbing a man in the stomach.
During the hearing, Cane’s defense attorney, Adam Williams, attempted to shift blame onto the media, claiming that adverse press coverage had led to Cane losing his job and turning to alcohol as a form of escape. Williams argued that Cane’s confrontation with Mr. Clancy was motivated by social media criticism and that Cane had been fleeing from a group of youths who recognized him, suggesting that his actions were driven by fear. He urged the court to consider deferring the sentence.
However, Judge Grainger was firm in his decision, citing the probation service’s reports that Cane continued to arrive at programs intoxicated. The judge reminded Cane that the original suspended sentence was granted with strict conditions, including abstaining from drugs and alcohol, which Cane had violated within days of the court of appeal upholding his suspension.
In light of these violations, the judge decided to revoke the suspended sentence and impose a reduced term of 18 months imprisonment, with Cane serving half of that in custody. Additionally, Cane was ordered to pay a statutory victim services surcharge of £115. This case underscores the importance of accountability and the consequences of failing to adhere to court-mandated conditions, especially for individuals with a history of serious offenses in the Brimpton and Thatcham areas.