DAVID THOMSON FROM BARROW SENTENCED TO OVER 12 YEARS FOR SEX OFFENCES IN FURNESS

In a significant legal case that has shaken the community of Barrow and the surrounding Furness area, David James Thomson, aged 47, was sentenced to a term exceeding twelve and a half years in prison after being convicted of multiple sexual offences. The court proceedings, held at Preston Crown Court, revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse involving Thomson, who resided on Whinsfield Avenue in Barrow.

Thomson was found guilty of two counts of sexual offences committed against a young child and five additional charges involving a woman. Despite the gravity of these convictions, he was acquitted of one charge of rape, a verdict that underscores the complexities and nuances of the case. The judge, Pamela Badley, emphasized that Thomson would serve a minimum of half his sentence before being eligible for parole. Upon release, he will be subject to strict license conditions and a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, designed to monitor and restrict his activities.

The case was initiated following a police investigation that commenced in May 2011, after a woman came forward to report that she had been sexually assaulted by Thomson over a period of six years. The victim, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, received support from specially-trained officers throughout the investigation. Detectives worked diligently to gather evidence, piecing together a distressing account of prolonged abuse.

Detective Constable Lyndsey Mitchell, of Barrow’s Public Protection Unit, spoke about the emotional toll of the case. She stated, “Today’s court appearance marked the end of a long and painful ordeal that the victim has endured since she was a young girl. Thomson put his victim through a great amount of stress by choosing to plead not guilty and go to a full trial. Fortunately, the truth has prevailed, and now the victim can find some comfort in the fact that she has been believed and her abuser is being put behind bars. The guilty verdict would not have been possible without the cooperation and strength of the victim. Speaking out and asking for help when you are being abused is traumatic, and she has been incredibly brave throughout the whole investigation.”

Prior to this, in February 2013, Thomson faced similar allegations. During that trial, he was accused of subjecting a girl to sexual abuse, with the prosecution claiming that the victim had fallen asleep at an address in the Furness area and awoken to find Thomson touching her inappropriately. It was also alleged that Thomson raped her while she was under the influence of ecstasy. Thomson, however, denied all charges, insisting that “nothing ever happened” and asserting that the allegations were false. He maintained that he had no interest in activities such as visiting hotels for sex or engaging in swinging, describing such thoughts as “disgusting.”

Thomson’s defense presented a prepared statement to police, and he chose not to answer further questions during the trial. The prosecution highlighted that the victim was undergoing treatment for depression when she disclosed the abuse, leading to police involvement and the filing of an official complaint in 2011. The jury ultimately cleared Thomson of the rape charge but convicted him on seven other sexual offences. Judge Pamela Badley remanded him into custody immediately following the verdict, and sentencing is scheduled for April 5 at Preston Crown Court.