ERIC ROOKE FROM BRAUNTON FAILS IN APPEAL OVER CHILD ABUSE SENTENCE IN LONDON COURT

In a significant legal development, 78-year-old Eric Charles William Rooke, a resident of Pill Gardens in Braunton, has seen his attempt to overturn a lengthy prison sentence rejected by the Court of Appeal. Rooke, who was convicted of multiple heinous crimes involving young girls, remains incarcerated after a jury at Exeter Crown Court found him guilty of three counts of child rape and 22 counts of indecent assault.

The case against Rooke dates back to April 2005, when he was sentenced to 12 years in prison following a detailed trial that uncovered disturbing evidence of his abuse. The jury's verdict was based on testimonies and evidence presented during the trial, which painted a disturbing picture of the defendant’s actions.

On the day of the appeal hearing, Rooke’s legal team sought to challenge the jury’s guilty verdicts, arguing that there were procedural errors and that the evidence was insufficient to support the convictions. The hearing took place in London, with Mr Justice MacDuff presiding, alongside Lord Justice Richards and Mr Justice Tugendhat. Despite the efforts of Rooke’s lawyers, the appeal was swiftly dismissed. The judges concluded that Rooke’s challenge had “no prospect of success” and that there was no basis for overturning the convictions.

During the proceedings, the judges noted that the trial judge had provided the jury with “perfectly adequate” instructions on how to deliberate and reach a verdict. They also emphasized that there were no “exceptional circumstances” that would warrant additional evidence or a different outcome. Rooke’s claim that a witness, who he believed could have supported his case, was unable to testify in person was dismissed, as he had not objected to the witness’s absence during the trial and could not now raise the issue.

Rooke was accused of abusing a young girl and then allegedly turning his attention to another girl once the first had grown older. Despite his claims that the allegations were fabricated, the jury found him guilty based on the evidence presented. His conviction and subsequent sentencing reflect the serious nature of his crimes, which have caused significant concern in the Braunton community and beyond.