HERBERT JEROME FROM SUTTON ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE SEXUAL ABUSE CASES

In a case that has sparked outrage and controversy, Herbert Jerome, a 74-year-old resident of Oakhill Road in Sutton, narrowly avoided imprisonment after being convicted of multiple counts of indecent assault against a young girl. The incident, which took place between May 30 and October 1 in 1999, involved Jerome repeatedly assaulting a 13-year-old girl under the guise of pretending to brush dirt from her clothes.

During the four-day trial at the Old Bailey, the jury heard harrowing details of Jerome’s misconduct. The young girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, testified that Jerome would often make inappropriate comments, such as claiming she had something on her jumper and then touching her chest. She recounted an incident where Jerome offered her five pounds to go upstairs with him, initially believing he was joking but feeling increasingly uncomfortable. She explained that she tried to avoid him whenever possible, and although she was subjected to these advances no more than five times, she eventually confided in her father about the abuse.

Despite the severity of the allegations and her clear account of Jerome’s inappropriate behavior, Judge John Rogers, QC, decided that a custodial sentence was not appropriate in this case. Instead, he sentenced Jerome to three years of probation, ordered him to register as a sex offender for five years, and advised him to behave himself. The judge expressed the view that the offences were trivial and hoped that no harm had been done to the girl, citing Jerome’s physical frailty as a mitigating factor.

This lenient sentence has provoked strong reactions from campaigners and victims’ advocates. Anne Kelly, representing the Kelly Anne Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, condemned the judge’s decision, stating, “I’d like to meet him in his chambers and see him face children who have been traumatised by abuse.” She emphasized that the fact Jerome had previously served time for sexual offences in 1967, including a three-year jail term for a serious sexual offence and multiple assaults on two girls, underscores the need for stricter penalties and deterrents.

Kelly further criticized the judge’s comments, describing them as “ridiculous,” and highlighted the trauma experienced by the young victim. “Of course this child has been traumatised,” she said. “The judge doesn’t seem to realize how brave she was in coming forward in the first place. That is an enormous thing to do.” She also pointed out that abusers like Jerome rarely stop their offending behavior, calling for a more rigorous approach to justice and prevention.

Herbert Jerome’s case has reignited debates about the adequacy of sentencing for sexual offences, especially considering his prior conviction history. Many believe that the justice system must impose harsher penalties to prevent repeat offenders and protect vulnerable children from further harm.