DANIEL FREEMAN FROM ASH, GODALMING, AND WARMINSTER SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN GUILDFORD

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Ash, Godalming, and Warminster, Daniel Freeman, a 41-year-old man with a troubling history of sexual offenses against children, has been sentenced to a significant prison term following his recent conviction for a heinous assault on an eight-year-old girl. The incident took place at his residence in October of the previous year, where Freeman, who was then residing in Loddon Way, Ash, Surrey, was found guilty by a jury of eleven to one of sexually assaulting a young girl under the age of 13.

Freeman’s criminal record is extensive and deeply troubling. He had previously served time for similar offenses, including molesting a six-year-old girl in 2002 while living in Godalming, Surrey, and a nine-year-old girl in 2006 while residing on Boreham Road in Warminster. Following his earlier convictions, Freeman was legally prohibited from being alone with young girls, a restriction that was meant to prevent any further harm. Despite these measures, he reoffended, breaching the conditions of his previous sentences.

The latest incident occurred when the young girl was visiting Freeman’s home as a guest. During this brief period of unsupervised time, Freeman pulled her leggings and pants down and touched her private parts, an act that was committed in the privacy of his home. The severity of this offense was underscored by the fact that it involved direct physical contact with the girl’s naked genitalia, marking an escalation from his previous offenses, which involved touching over clothing. Judge Robert Fraser, presiding over the case at Guildford Crown Court, described the offense as particularly egregious and noted the breach of trust involved.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Fraser emphasized the dangerousness of Freeman, stating, “In your case, you will serve two-thirds of your sentence when your case will then be referred to the Parole Board. You will only be released if the Parole Board considers it safe for you to be released.” The judge also highlighted that Freeman was considered a high risk of reoffending, especially given the recent escalation in the severity of his crimes. As part of his sentence, Freeman was ordered to serve six years in prison, with an additional three years on license following his release. He was warned that he would not be eligible for early release after serving half of his sentence, which is the usual procedure.

Freeman’s past convictions and the recent offense have led to strict legal restrictions. He is now barred from working with or having unsupervised contact with girls under the age of 16. Furthermore, he has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life, a measure that underscores the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.

Prosecutor Wendy Cottee highlighted the impact of Freeman’s latest offense on the young victim and her family, noting that the girl’s academic performance had declined significantly following the incident. The case also revealed that Freeman had been under strict legal conditions since his previous convictions, which included a sentence of three and a half years handed down in November 2007 after he was found guilty of multiple charges of indecent and sexual assault involving a six-year-old girl in Godalming and a nine-year-old girl in Warminster.

Freeman, who denied the latest charges, expressed remorse during the trial, acknowledging that his past actions were unforgivable. He claimed to have taken steps to seek help from organizations specializing in treating sex offenders and insisted that he was no longer attracted to young girls. His defense argued that he was receiving treatment in prison and still had the support of his wife and parents.

Despite these assurances, the court’s decision reflected the gravity of his repeated offenses and the potential danger he poses. Freeman’s case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding measures and the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing individuals with a history of sexual crimes against children.