BARRY PRICE SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND KIDNAPPING IN GAMLINGAY AND BEDFORDSHIRE

In a case that has shocked the community of Gamlingay and the wider Bedfordshire area, Barry Price, a 24-year-old man from Gamlingay, has been sentenced to eighteen years in prison for a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual assault and false imprisonment of two teenage girls.

According to court proceedings at Luton Crown Court, Price was found guilty on multiple counts, including four charges of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and two counts of false imprisonment. The evidence presented revealed a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior, where Price used online deception to lure young girls into dangerous situations.

The court heard that Price employed fake profiles, pretending to be a teenage boy, to establish contact with vulnerable young girls. His manipulative tactics culminated in meetings that led to violent and sexually abusive encounters. One such incident occurred on October 28, 2019, when Price arranged to meet a teenage girl he had been communicating with online. Upon meeting her in person, he forcibly detained her in his car, where he proceeded to rape her. Following this assault, he took her to a property in Gamlingay, where he continued to sexually assault and abuse her. The victim was eventually released at a train station, with Price coldly telling her, “good luck getting home.”

Less than two weeks later, on November 7, 2019, Price met another girl, this time a 15-year-old, after misleading her into believing he was also a teenager. He took her to the same property in Gamlingay, where he subjected her to further sexual assault and rape. When she attempted to leave, Price threatened her and destroyed her mobile phone to prevent her from seeking help or contacting anyone.

During sentencing, Mr. Recorder James Wood QC described Price as a callous individual who showed no remorse or empathy for his victims. The judge emphasized that Price’s actions appeared to be premeditated, driven by a sense of entitlement to sexually abuse young girls. He expressed concern over the high risk Price poses to children, young adults, prison staff, and members of the public.

In a poignant moment during the sentencing, Mr. Wood commended the bravery of the two young girls who came forward to report their experiences. He told Price that “the memory of what you did to them will live with them forever,” highlighting the lasting impact of his crimes on the victims’ lives.