CHRISTOPHER WARD FROM DORCHESTER SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR HORRIFIC SEXUAL ABUSE

In October 2004, a deeply disturbing case concluded at Dorchester Crown Court, where Christopher Martin Ward, a man previously known as a nightclub manager in Dorchester, was sentenced to a 12-year prison term for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against a young girl. The offenses spanned over a decade, beginning when the victim was only six years old, and involved a pattern of continuous abuse that left lasting scars.

Ward, aged 42 and residing on Main Road in Puddletown, was found guilty of nine separate sexual offense charges, including three counts of rape. The jury, after deliberating for just over three hours, returned a verdict of guilty, condemning Ward for his actions. The court heard harrowing details of the abuse, which took place during the 1980s, and included acts of forced sexual acts, some involving bestiality, and repeated rapes. The victim, who is now in her 30s and cannot be publicly identified, was subjected to a decade of torment, during which she also became pregnant and subsequently had an abortion.

During the trial, the court was informed that Ward had forced the girl to perform sexual acts on him, with the abuse escalating to violent and coercive acts. The prosecution revealed that Ward had also assaulted the girl with a dog and had threatened her to ensure her compliance. The court heard that Ward’s actions culminated in him repeatedly raping the girl when she was just 14 years old. Prosecutor Neil Mitchell described how Ward had smothered the victim and used threats to control her, revealing the extent of his depravity.

Ward, who claimed to have undergone a vasectomy prior to the offenses, dismissed the allegations as false and described them as a 'fantasy.' He also attempted to deny responsibility, asserting that the victim was a liar. Despite his claims, the court was convinced of his guilt, and the judge, Recorder Christopher Wilson-Smith, condemned his conduct as 'truly appalling' and 'bullying.'

In his sentencing remarks, Recorder Wilson-Smith emphasized the severity of Ward’s crimes, stating, “This has been a very disturbing case. You sexually abused this girl over a period of ten years during which you repeatedly raped her. You told her no one would believe her if she told anyone what had happened. I have no doubt what you did made her life a living hell. In court, you branded her a liar. There is no doubt you were a bully whose conduct was truly appalling. There is no mitigation in this case.”

Throughout the proceedings, Ward stood with his head bowed, showing no visible emotion as his sentence was announced. The court also ordered him to be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life, aiming to prevent him from harming others in the future. The case also revealed that Ward had a prior conviction from 1995, when he received 150 hours of community service for possessing counterfeit cash. His legal representatives acknowledged the gravity of his current offenses, with Iain Ross stating that Ward accepted the lengthy imprisonment, noting that he has since married and established a new home.

Overall, this case highlights the tragic and disturbing nature of long-term sexual abuse and the importance of justice for victims who have endured such trauma over many years.