DANIEL MILLS FROM BADSEY SENTENCED IN EVEESHAM AND HEREFORD FOR SEX OFFENCES

In September 2016, a significant legal development occurred involving Daniel Mills, a known sex offender from Badsey, near Evesham. Mills was initially sentenced to a three-year Community Order for multiple sexual offences committed against an underage girl and a woman in her thirties. Despite these penalties, the severity of his crimes prompted intervention from the Attorney General Jeremy Wright QC, who argued that the original sentence was 'unduly lenient' and did not adequately reflect the gravity of Mills' actions.

Following the Attorney General's appeal, the Court of Appeal convened on Thursday, September 8, and ultimately agreed with the intervention. The court replaced Mills’ previous sentence with an immediate five-year prison term, emphasizing the seriousness of his offences. After the ruling, Attorney General Jeremy Wright expressed his satisfaction, stating, “Daniel Mills committed sexual offences against more than one victim and I am pleased that the Court of Appeal has agreed that an immediate prison term is warranted in this case.”

Prior to this, in July 2016, Mills had already been involved in a highly publicized case where a brave victim publicly condemned the leniency of his sentence. Mills, then 25 years old and residing on Horsebridge Avenue in Badsey, near Evesham, had admitted to multiple sexual assaults and an attempted sexual assault against a former partner. The court heard that Mills had engaged in sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl and had also assaulted Philippa James, aged 32, with whom he had a six-month relationship.

During the July hearing at Hereford Crown Court, Judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins described Mills as someone who was ‘not in control of himself and prone to violence,’ yet he was handed a three-year community order instead of a custodial sentence. The victim, Philippa James, who chose to waive her right to anonymity, publicly criticized the court’s decision, calling Mills a “monster” who should have been jailed. She recounted the traumatic events, including Mills’ violent outbursts and attempts to sexually assault her during an incident on October 11 of the previous year.

The court detailed that Mills had known the underage girl since she was nine or ten years old, and their relationship involved multiple sexual encounters, including one where they had sex in his bedroom and another at a New Year’s party. The girl, who was on the contraceptive pill, described the relationship as ‘controlling,’ with Mills waiting for her when she returned from school and exerting significant influence over her personal choices.

Regarding the assault on Philippa James, the court heard that Mills’ behavior escalated to violence and attempted sexual assault during a confrontation at her home. The incident involved Mills shouting, spitting, slapping, pushing her, and attempting to sexually assault her after overhearing her talking to her ex-partner about their children. Mills’ actions included pulling her trousers and underwear down, trying to assault her, and physically assaulting her by kicking the bathroom door and banging her head against the mirror. During the altercation, he also confiscated her mobile phone to prevent her from contacting anyone for help.

Mills’ criminal record is extensive, with 25 convictions for 53 offences, including 12 against individuals, one for a sexual assault in July 2010 which resulted in a two-year prison sentence, as well as numerous public order, drugs, and driving offences. His misconduct also includes sharing indecent photographs on Facebook and making negative comments about others, which led to a community order in March 2013. In January of the same year, he was sentenced to 14 months in prison for battery, with previous suspended sentences activated.

During the July hearing, Mills’ defense argued that there was no ‘serious risk of significant harm’ from his actions and claimed that the sexual activity with the underage girl was consensual and lacked aggravating features. His lawyer, Mr. Aspinall, emphasized Mills’ remorse and desire to change, stating, “He accepts he gets very jealous and he’s immature. He needs to change. He’s willing to do anything to change. He’s had enough of going in and out of prison.”

Judge Pearce-Higgins, however, expressed concern about Mills’ behavior, describing him as ‘a young man not in control of himself and prone to violence and with disregard for women.’ As part of his sentence, Mills was ordered to complete a sexual offending program, attend anger management sessions, and adhere to restraining orders protecting his victims. Additionally, a Criminal Behaviour Order was imposed, and Mills was required to sign the sex offender register for five years, with a victim surcharge of £60. The court also mandated that Mills return for a progress review within six months.

Victims of Mills’ crimes have voiced their distress and disappointment. Philippa James, the woman he assaulted, publicly condemned the court’s leniency, describing Mills as a ‘monster’ who should have been jailed. She expressed her shock and dismay that Mills had been handed only a community order, despite her belief that he deserved a custodial sentence. James, who courageously waived her right to anonymity, thanked the judge as Mills left the dock, emphasizing her desire for justice and accountability for her ordeal.