HELEN THOMPSON FROM RUGBY ESCAPES JAIL AFTER INVOLVEMENT IN CHILD KIDNAPPING AND RAPE CASE

Helen Thompson, a 43-year-old woman from Rugby, has narrowly avoided imprisonment following a serious criminal case that involved the kidnapping of a teenage girl and subsequent sexual assault. The case was heard at Warwick Crown Court, where the court was presented with detailed accounts of her involvement and the broader context of her actions from nearly two decades ago.

According to court records, Thompson was accused of participating in the abduction of a young girl, an incident that took place approximately 20 years prior. The jury convicted her earlier this year, despite her persistent denial of any involvement in the kidnapping. The court heard that her role was limited to driving the victim to a specific location, a flat in Rugby, where the assault took place. It was confirmed that Thompson was not involved in the actual rape, which was carried out by two other men, Peter Livingston Jones, aged 55, and Raymond Dickens, aged 53.

The victim was forcibly placed into the boot of a car and transported to the flat, where she was subjected to sexual assault. The court detailed that Jones and Dickens had a disturbing history of targeting vulnerable young women in Rugby during the 1990s. They were known to have forced these women into prostitution and committed various assaults. Jones, in particular, had a prior conviction for armed robbery, which underscored his dangerous criminal background.

During the trial, the judge, Sylvia de Bertodano, acknowledged Thompson’s efforts to turn her life around since the incident. She emphasized that Thompson had worked hard to make positive changes and was not the same person she was at the time of the crime. Recognizing her rehabilitation and the fact that the offense occurred many years ago, the judge decided that it would be unjust to send her to prison.

As a result, Thompson was sentenced to 12 months in prison, but this sentence was suspended for a year, allowing her to avoid immediate incarceration. In contrast, Jones received a 22-year prison sentence, and Dickens was sentenced to 16 years. Both men were also ordered to register as sex offenders for life, reflecting the severity of their crimes and the court’s stance on their dangerousness.

The court’s decision highlighted the complex nature of the case, balancing justice for the victim with the recognition of Thompson’s limited role and her efforts to reform. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dark criminal history associated with some individuals in Rugby, and the ongoing efforts of the justice system to address such heinous crimes.