DAVID EAST SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS IN CREWE FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

In a case that has shocked the community of Crewe and the surrounding areas, David East, a 41-year-old man from Den Lane, Crewe, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 17 years after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offences involving a vulnerable young girl.

The conviction followed a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, where East faced a total of 17 charges. These included 11 counts of rape, five counts of indecent assault, and one charge of sexual assault. Despite his denial of all allegations, the jury found him guilty of all charges last month, bringing a significant sense of justice for the victim and her family.

The court proceedings revealed that the victim, a girl from North Staffordshire, had initially confided in someone shortly after the abuse began. Unfortunately, her concerns were not believed at the time, which allowed the abuse to continue unchecked. It was established that East first assaulted the girl when she was still a schoolgirl, and she chose not to disclose the abuse earlier because she believed she would not be taken seriously or believed.

Over a period of time, East repeatedly raped the girl, engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse with her on multiple occasions. The victim endured this trauma in silence for years, which only came to light when she finally reported the abuse to the police last year. Her courage in coming forward was a pivotal moment in bringing her abuser to justice.

Throughout the trial, East maintained his innocence, and it was noted that he has no previous criminal convictions. During mitigation, Adam Watkins, representing East, stated that there were no threats or coercion used to silence the victim. He emphasized that East did not exhibit extreme control or possessive behaviour, and highlighted that the lengthy prison sentence would also have a profound impact on East’s young family.

In sentencing, Judge Paul Glenn addressed the court and the victim directly. He remarked on the prolonged period of abuse during which the victim remained silent, fearing disbelief. The judge acknowledged her vulnerability at the time of the abuse and expressed that her life had been significantly affected by East’s actions. Judge Glenn condemned East’s conduct as driven solely by his own sexual gratification, stating, “These were committed for your own sexual gratification.”

As part of his sentence, East was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and was prohibited from engaging in activities involving children and vulnerable adults. The court also ordered that East serve no more than half of his 17-year sentence in custody, with the remainder on licence, ensuring ongoing supervision.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Paul Edwards from Staffordshire Police’s adult protection team reaffirmed the force’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable members of the community. He emphasized that all allegations of sexual abuse, including historic cases, are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Police continue to encourage anyone with information about suspected abuse to contact their Protecting Vulnerable People Department on 101, in order to help prevent further harm and bring offenders to justice.