DAVID CHAPMAN'S HORRIFIC CRIME NEAR SPALDING: GUNPOINT SEX ATTACK ON BOYS SHOCKS COMMUNITY

In a disturbing series of events that have sent shockwaves through the community near Spalding, Lincolnshire, David Chapman, aged 19, was convicted of carrying out a heinous sexual assault on an 11-year-old boy at gunpoint. The attack took place just days before Christmas last year, and the details revealed during the court proceedings paint a grim picture of a young man driven by dangerous fantasies and a troubling history.

According to the prosecution, led by Phil Howes, Chapman was loitering in Blue Gowt Lane, on the outskirts of Spalding, after arriving on a moped. It was during this time that he approached two boys, a nine-year-old and an 11-year-old, who were walking together. The court heard that Chapman removed his crash helmet and brandished a firearm, which he used to threaten the boys into compliance. He ordered them to expose themselves, warning them that he would shoot if they disobeyed.

The terrified children endured sexual assaults at the hands of Chapman, who was acting out a disturbing fantasy he had seen on the internet. The nine-year-old managed to break free and ran to alert his mother, who immediately drove to the scene. She was met with a horrifying sight: her son was running, visibly shaken, crying, and clutching his trousers, clearly traumatized. The older boy was also attacked, with Chapman attempting to rape him at gunpoint before fleeing on his moped.

Police investigations quickly identified Chapman through DNA evidence. During questioning, he admitted to being addicted to child pornography, which he claimed contributed to his actions. Authorities found a cache of 381 indecent images of children on his home computer, which was searched following his arrest. Chapman, of Hawthorn Bank, Spalding, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempted rape, sexual assaults, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and possessing an imitation firearm during the commission of these offences. He also admitted possessing indecent images of children and showing an indecent photograph to a child during a separate incident.

In court, Judge Michael Heath sentenced Chapman to an indeterminate youth custody order, with a minimum term of six years. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was issued a Sexual Offences Prevention Order that prohibits any unsupervised contact with children. The judge expressed grave concern over the risk Chapman posed to the public, emphasizing the severity of the offences and their lasting impact on the victims and their families.

During the sentencing, a probation officer who interviewed Chapman after the attacks highlighted his sex addiction as a contributing factor, suggesting that he was 'acting out a fantasy.' Defense lawyer Felicity Gerry argued that the background of internet pornography influenced Chapman’s behavior and that he was a social isolate with little understanding of his actions.

It was also revealed that Chapman had previously been given an 18-month supervision order after admitting to arson in October of the previous year. He had set fire to the garage of his adoptive parents’ home while they slept in the adjoining house, an act that was later followed by his contact with fire services and the rescue of his family. He also had a prior conviction for criminal damage after destroying his bedroom in a fit of temper.

Detective Sergeant Alan Mason of Spalding Police described Chapman as 'extremely dangerous' and expressed hope that treatment during his detention would mitigate his risk to the community. He praised the resilience of the young victims and their families, who described the ordeal as a nightmare and expressed relief that the boys survived the attack. The family condemned the sale of replica guns, emphasizing the trauma caused by such weapons.

The youngest boy, who managed to escape, told police he feared he was going to be shot in the back, while the older boy recounted feeling too petrified to scream or attempt escape, believing he was going to die. The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of this disturbing incident, and authorities hope that the lengthy sentence will serve as a deterrent to others and provide some measure of justice for the victims.