ASHFORD PAEDOPHILE GEOFFREY BISHOP SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS IN PRISON DESPITE HEALTH ISSUES

In a case that has drawn significant attention, Geoffrey Bishop, a man from Ashford with a troubling criminal history, was sentenced to six years in prison for serious sexual offences. The proceedings took place at Maidstone Crown Court, where the court heard about Bishop's past crimes, his current health condition, and the arguments presented by both the prosecution and his defense.

Geoffrey Bishop, aged 62 and residing on Stanhope Road in Ashford, had previously served a 12-month sentence in July 2002 for indecent assault involving a young girl. However, shortly after his release, he committed further heinous acts, including molesting and attempting to rape another young girl. The second victim, who was a minor at the time, confided in her mother on Christmas Day in 2008, revealing that she had been abused by Bishop during her childhood.

Prosecutor Dianne Chan detailed these events, emphasizing the severity of Bishop's actions and the impact on the victims. Bishop admitted to charges of attempted rape, indecency with a child, and three counts of indecent assault, acknowledging his guilt in these serious offences.

During the trial, Bishop’s defense lawyer, Paul Hogben, argued that his client’s current mental and physical health issues significantly diminish the risk he poses to the public, particularly to children. Hogben explained that Bishop had suffered a brain aneurysm in 2006, which resulted in brain damage and a host of other health problems, including kidney, liver, and respiratory issues. These conditions, Hogben claimed, have left Bishop virtually unable to go outside or interact with others, effectively making him a 'mental prisoner in his own body.'

Hogben further stated that Bishop’s decline in health meant he no longer presented any danger to children or society, asserting that the risk of reoffending had been virtually eliminated due to his medical conditions. He described Bishop as being almost in custody by virtue of his brain damage and emphasized that he had no contact with children or the public.

Despite these arguments, Judge Jeremy Gold QC acknowledged the seriousness of the offences. While he agreed to reduce the sentence from what might have been more severe, he emphasized that the crimes committed by Bishop were grave and warranted a custodial sentence. The judge ultimately sentenced Bishop to six years in prison, underscoring the importance of holding offenders accountable regardless of their health status.

Hogben proposed that Bishop could serve a suspended sentence combined with a sexual offences prevention order, but the court decided on the six-year term, reflecting the gravity of the offences and the need for justice for the victims. The case highlights the complex considerations courts face when dealing with offenders who have significant health issues but have committed serious crimes, especially involving vulnerable victims in Ashford and the surrounding areas.