GEORGE MILLS FROM FOLKESTONE SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND DRUG DEALING

In December 2018, George Mills, a 57-year-old resident of Radnor Cliff in Folkestone, was sentenced to a total of 11 years in prison following a series of heinous crimes. The court heard that Mills was convicted of five separate sexual offences against a young child, acts that inflicted profound and lasting trauma on the victim. The case was brought to a close after a retrial, during which Mills maintained his innocence regarding both the sexual offences and the drug-related charges that emerged during the investigation.

Police had initially responded to reports of multiple incidents involving Mills, with authorities revealing that there were approximately 14 separate instances of concern. When questioned, Mills appeared dismissive, shaking his head and retorting, “Fourteen?” in response to the number of incidents. The court was informed that these repeated assaults had left the young victim unable to sleep and suffering from long-term psychological effects, including depression and feelings of helplessness.

During the proceedings, the judge, Rupert Lowe, acknowledged that references to Mills’ character painted a complex picture. While some testimonies highlighted his good qualities, the judge emphasized that Mills’ criminal conduct had caused significant harm. “Your offences have had a deleterious effect on your victim,” he stated plainly. The judge described the abuse as a “campaign of abuse” that continued even after Mills realized the victim felt unable to report the crimes to authorities. The pattern of exploitation was characterized as ongoing and driven by Mills’ own sexual gratification, with devastating consequences for the young girl involved.

As Mills sat in the dock, he shook his head in apparent disbelief as the judge delivered his verdict. The court was told that Mills had given evidence three times during the trial, but the judge remarked, “You are a poor liar.” The judge further condemned Mills’ actions, noting that the victim was left with feelings of depression and helplessness, struggling to understand what had happened and feeling unable to seek help.

In addition to the sexual offences, Mills was found to be in possession of cocaine and cash at his home, leading to a conviction for drug dealing. As a result, he was sentenced to an additional two years in prison. The judge also imposed a strict ban on Mills having any unsupervised contact with a girl, aiming to prevent further harm.

During the sentencing, Mills, who had previously lived on Canada Close before moving to Radnor Cliff, showed some emotional response. He was seen hugging a family member who was seated just a few feet away from the victim in the public gallery. His defense lawyer, Ben Urwin, explained that Mills had experienced a difficult childhood, having been in care for many years due to a violent father. Urwin also highlighted Mills’ efforts to work as a carpenter and later as a publican, attempting to portray a more sympathetic side.

Ultimately, the court’s decision reflected the severity of Mills’ crimes, with the judge emphasizing the profound and lasting impact on the victim. The 11-year sentence underscores the gravity with which the justice system views such violations, especially those committed against vulnerable children in the community of Folkestone.