HELEN CARTER FROM GORSEINON JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN BOGNOR

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community, Helen Carter, a 34-year-old woman from Gorseinon near Swansea, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to charges of indecent assault involving a minor. The incident, which took place in Bognor, West Sussex, came to light when the victim, a 14-year-old girl, disclosed the assault during a police talk to her youth group last June.

According to court proceedings, the girl’s mother had taken her to meet Carter, fully aware of the circumstances, and chose to leave the scene to have a drink while the assault was ongoing. The court heard that the relationship between Carter and the girl was facilitated by Paul Jones, a man currently on the run from authorities in Thailand. Jones had initially contacted the girl through an internet chatroom in 2000 and spent nearly two years grooming her before orchestrating a sexual encounter at a guest house in Bognor in October 2001.

Prosecutor Alex Cranbrook explained that Jones, who is known to police for his involvement in paedophilia, had expressed interest in making a pornographic film involving the girl and her mother. Surprisingly, both the girl and her mother agreed to participate. Over time, Jones indicated that he wanted the girl and her mother to be involved with another individual, who turned out to be Carter. The court was told that Carter, residing on Brynteg Road in Gorseinon, checked into a guest house in Bognor and went to a room with the girl.

Once inside, the court heard, they sat on the bed, undressed, and engaged in fondling each other's breasts. This act of sexual misconduct was confirmed by Carter herself when she was questioned by police after the girl’s complaint. The incident was initially reported when the girl confided in a police officer during a community policing talk, leading to Carter’s immediate arrest and confession.

During the hearing, Carter’s defense attorney, John Harwood-Stevenson, emphasized that the primary manipulator was Paul Jones, who had been working on the girl for nearly two years and had also targeted Carter during her vulnerable period. Harwood-Stevenson highlighted that Carter was under significant psychological strain due to medication and the recent breakdown of her marriage, which had resulted in her children being placed into voluntary care.

However, the presiding judge, Recorder Paul Tain, was unequivocal in his judgment. He stated, “She is an adult who took her clothes off in some sort of room with a 14-year-old girl, knowing that she was a 14-year-old girl, and was prepared to take part in a variety of sexual contact.” The judge condemned Carter’s actions, emphasizing the importance of protecting children and noting that Carter’s participation was driven by financial motives, possibly compounded by her vulnerable state.

Judge Tain also acknowledged the disturbing nature of the case, including the fact that the girl’s mother had facilitated her involvement, which he described as “overwhelmingly appalling.” Despite the girl’s apparent awareness and participation, the judge described the case as “horrible and difficult to understand.”

As part of her sentence, Carter was ordered to register as a sex offender and was prohibited from working with children in the future. The case has left a lasting impact on the community, raising serious concerns about grooming, exploitation, and the importance of safeguarding minors from such predatory behavior.