CUMBRIAN MAN DARREN WILLIAMS JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING TEEN GIRL IN WHITEHAVEN

In July 2009, a man from Whitehaven, Darren Anthony Williams, 25, was sentenced to 16 months in prison after pleading guilty to engaging in sexual activities with a 14-year-old girl. The victim, who is now pregnant, engaged in a three-month relationship with Williams despite knowing her young age.

Prosecutor Brian McKenna told the court that Williams, of Ramsey Drive, Whitehaven, met the girl during the summer of the previous year. Initially, their contact was through text messages, but they eventually arranged to meet at an address in Whitehaven, where they spent time together watching DVDs. Their sexual relationship commenced within a few months of their first encounter.

He added, “The first sexual encounter took place in bushes at Castle Park in Whitehaven. The last time they had intercourse was on Monday, October 20 last year, when the girl left school at lunchtime and met Williams in Castle Park. She was in her school uniform at the time. After they had sex, they wandered around the town until she returned home at 4 pm.”

The girl’s father discovered the incident two days later and contacted the police, who arrested Williams early the following morning. It was also revealed that Williams, fearing he might be caught, had sent the girl text messages asking her to delete his messages.

Defense barrister Greg Hoare acknowledged the seriousness of the situation after Williams read the girl’s victim impact statement, stating, “He recognises that his conduct was reprehensible and knows he should have behaved better.” Hoare explained that Williams lacked self-esteem and confidence, which contributed to his actions.

Williams was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years, with a ban on unsupervised contact with any girl under 16. He is set to serve half of his sentence before being released on license.