DAVID MILNER OF GILLINGHAM JAILED FOR ABDUCTION AND SEX OFFENSES INVOLVING 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a case that shocked the community of Gillingham, Kent, a 46-year-old man named David Milner has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in the abduction and sexual offenses against a 14-year-old girl. The incident, which took place in August, led to a nationwide manhunt that captured the attention of the entire country.

Milner, a resident of Victoria Street in Gillingham, was brought before Maidstone Crown Court where he admitted to multiple serious charges. These included the abduction of the young girl, as well as five counts of engaging in sexual activity with a minor under the age of consent. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to five charges of committing indecent acts with someone below the age of 16.

During the court proceedings, the judge sentenced Milner to three and a half years in prison for the abduction charge. Concurrently, he received a three-year sentence for unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16, and another three-year term for indecency with a minor. All sentences are to run concurrently, meaning they will be served simultaneously, resulting in a total prison term of three and a half years.

Furthermore, the court ordered Milner to be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for a period of ten years following his release. He was also permanently barred from working with children, reflecting the severity of his offenses and the need to protect vulnerable minors from potential harm.

The case gained widespread media attention due to the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the girl and Milner’s actions. The pair vanished from their homes in Gillingham, prompting a large-scale search effort. It was revealed that they had shared a small room in a budget hotel in Blackpool, where Milner reportedly told hotel staff that the girl was his “toy girl.”

As the investigation progressed, Milner, a father of five and twice-married, fled northward with the girl. The police intensified their efforts to locate them, and eventually, a lone officer discovered the pair sleeping in a lay-by in the Highlands, inside a car they had purchased just two days earlier. The discovery marked the end of their escape, but the case continued to draw public and media scrutiny.

Prosecutors also highlighted that Milner’s personal life was tumultuous; notably, his second wife, Anthea, divorced him after discovering him wearing her underwear, adding a disturbing layer to the case’s background. The court’s verdict underscores the gravity of Milner’s actions and the ongoing efforts to safeguard children from predators like him.