DENIS JONES PENSIONER FROM WORCESTER SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL
In October 2018, a disturbing case unfolded in Worcester involving a 69-year-old man named Denis Jones, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl.The incident took place on November 21 of the previous year, shocking the local community and prompting a serious legal response.
During the proceedings at Worcester Crown Court, the victim, who was only 12 years old at the time, watched as Jones was sentenced from the public gallery.
Jones, a resident of Bowness Close in Worcester, had previously admitted to two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child.
A third count related to the case was allowed to lie on file, meaning it would not be pursued further but could be considered in sentencing.
Prosecutor Gareth Walters detailed the harrowing events, describing how Jones positioned himself between the girl’s legs and sexually assaulted her for approximately five minutes.
During this assault, Jones engaged her in conversation, although the girl later stated she could not recall what he was saying.
The court heard that Jones made inappropriate comments, including compliments about her breasts, which added to the trauma of the incident.
The young girl, in a victim personal statement, recounted her fear during the assault, saying, “I thought he was going to rape me.
He did not let me go.
He kept saying ‘yes’ and I kept saying ‘no’.” She also revealed that she attempted to seek help by texting her mother, with one message reading, “I’m scared,” and another to a friend expressing her fear.
In her statement, she described the lasting impact of the assault, stating, “Since this happened I have been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks.
This would involve me feeling really negative towards people.
I kept thinking ‘why me?
What did I do to deserve this?
Why did he pick me to do this?’” Jones denied the allegations when confronted, but he was arrested the following day.
The court noted that Jones had no previous convictions relevant to this type of offence.
However, prosecutor Walters emphasized that Jones exhibited grooming behaviour and that the significant age disparity between him and the victim was an aggravating factor.
The fact that there was more than one offence and the genuine fear of rape experienced by the girl were also considered serious aggravations.
Judge Nicholas Cole commended the girl for her bravery in giving evidence and acknowledged Jones’s decision to plead guilty.
The judge stated, “To your credit you ultimately pleaded guilty.
You did so through your solicitor before the trial therefore saving the victim from the ordeal of having to give evidence at the trial.
Nonetheless, you have taken from her the sort of innocence a child of this age has a right to expect.” As part of his sentence, Jones was given a 12-month prison term, suspended for two years.
He was also ordered to complete 50 days of rehabilitation activities.
Additionally, a sexual harm prevention order was imposed, warning that any breach could result in up to five years of imprisonment.
Jones is required to notify police of any change of name, address, or other details for the next ten years and is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.
He was also ordered to pay £1,000 in costs, reflecting the court’s condemnation of his actions and the serious consequences he now faces.
