BRIAN DOWNS FROM JERSEY ESCAPES JAIL IN CHILD ABUSE CASE AT SOREL POINT

In a case that has shocked the community of Jersey, Brian Downs, aged 55, a former taxi driver, was found guilty of serious sexual offenses involving a teenage girl. The incidents occurred over a span of nearly three years, from November 24, 1988, to November 23, 1991, during which Downs engaged in indecent assault and procured acts of gross indecency against the young girl, who was between 13 and 15 years old at the time.

Despite the gravity of his actions, Downs was not sentenced to prison. Instead, he received a probation order that will last for three years. Additionally, he was mandated to complete the maximum community service of 240 hours, a penalty that reflects the court’s attempt at balancing punishment with rehabilitation. The court heard that Downs’s crimes took place in his car, parked at night at Sorel Point, a location known to locals in St John.

During the hearing, character references were submitted to the court by St John deputy Phil Rondel and St John constable Michael Touzel, highlighting aspects of Downs’s character. Crown advocate Sally Sharpe detailed the disturbing nature of the offenses, emphasizing that Downs had warned his victim never to disclose what had happened, threatening that she would not be believed if she did.

The prosecution had argued for a more severe sentence, requesting two years of imprisonment. However, the defense, led by advocate Rebecca Juste, presented a different perspective. She explained that Downs had a complicated personal history, including being a victim of abuse himself during childhood. The court was also provided with psychiatric and psychological reports concerning Downs, which the defense believed were relevant to understanding his background.

Commissioner Francis Hamon, presiding over the case, described it as a particularly sordid and troubling matter. Despite the severity of the allegations and the evidence presented, he chose to impose a relatively lenient sentence, reflecting the court’s consideration of the circumstances and the reports provided. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Jersey, raising ongoing concerns about child protection and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals.