IAN ALLEN FROM MELKSHAM SENTENCED FOR LIFE ON SEX OFFENDER REGISTER AFTER ATTACK IN MELKSHAM

In October 2017, a man from Melksham named Ian Allen was formally sentenced to serve a lengthy prison term after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The incident took place in Melksham, where Allen, then 31 years old, committed the assault during a gathering at a party held in the flats where he resided on Devonshire Place.

According to court reports, Allen had lured the young teenager into a state of intoxication by offering her alcohol at the party. During this encounter, he took her phone away from her, which was part of his attempt to control the situation. The assault itself involved Allen pulling down the girl’s trousers and touching her inappropriately, despite her protests and pleas for him to stop. The victim repeatedly told Allen that she did not want what was happening and emphasized her age, stating she was only 14, while Allen was 30.

Prosecutor Colin Meeke outlined the details of the case during proceedings at Swindon Crown Court. He explained that the assault occurred on August 6 of the previous year, with Allen present at the party along with friends. The court was told that the girl had expressed her discomfort and begged Allen to cease his actions, but he continued regardless.

This was not Allen’s first encounter with the law concerning similar conduct. In April 2015, he had been placed on a suspended sentence after contacting another 14-year-old girl via Facebook. During that incident, he asked her if she would have sex with him, a request that mirrored his behavior towards the recent victim. The court noted that Allen’s pattern of predatory behavior was evident and concerning.

Defense lawyer Andrew Stone argued that Allen had made significant efforts to change his lifestyle since the incident in 2016. He mentioned that Allen had been offered a position as a mechanic with Land Rover, but due to his current legal situation, he would be unable to accept the job. Despite these claims, the judge, Robert Pawson, was clear in his judgment. He stated that Allen’s use of alcohol appeared to have facilitated the assault and expressed concern over Allen’s apparent denial of responsibility.

Judge Pawson sentenced Allen to six and a half years in prison. He emphasized that Allen would be required to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole. Additionally, Allen will be on license for a further 18 months after his release. The court also ordered that Allen register as a sex offender for life and prohibited him from working with children in any capacity, reflecting the severity of his actions and the ongoing risk he poses to the community in Melksham.