JACK BROWNE EXETER SEXUAL PREDATOR FACES LONG JAIL SENTENCE FOR CHILD RAPE

In a case that has shocked the community of Exeter, Jack Browne, a 51-year-old former lorry driver and convicted sex offender, has been found guilty of multiple heinous crimes involving a young girl. The charges against Browne included 11 counts of rape, indecent assault, attempted rape, and indecency with a child. The trial, which lasted three days at Exeter Crown Court, culminated in a jury returning guilty verdicts on all counts after deliberating for three hours and thirty-six minutes.

These disturbing offences were committed over a span of several years, with the victim, now an adult, recounting that the abuse began when she was just 13 years old and continued until she was 18. Browne, who has a documented history of sexual offences dating back to 2008, subjected his victim to multiple assaults, including forcing her to perform sexual acts on him. The jury was presented with compelling evidence, including a video interview in which the victim described how the abuse affected her behavior and mental health during her teenage years.

Judge David Evans, presiding over the case, adjourned sentencing for 24 hours to allow the prosecution to speak with the victim and obtain a personal statement. The judge emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating, “You have been convicted on the clearest evidence of sexual abuse. Tomorrow I will sentence you to a lengthy term of imprisonment, but I will adjourn to allow the prosecution time to obtain from the victim a personal statement. That will inform me about the impact these offences have had on her over the years up until today.”

Prosecutor Mary Cowe described Browne as an “opportunistic sexual predator,” highlighting that he would assault the victim and then instruct her not to tell anyone. She emphasized that the first sexual experience the victim ever had was at Browne’s hands and that he attempted to portray himself as a protector, which was a manipulation to conceal his true intentions.

During the trial, Browne, who is currently serving time in prison in Exeter, chose not to give evidence in his own defense and denied all 11 charges. The court was shown a video interview with the victim, who recounted that the abuse began when she was 13 and adversely affected her school life and personal well-being. The jury’s guilty verdicts mark a significant step toward justice for the victim.

Sentencing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 15, and is expected to result in a substantial prison term for Browne, reflecting the gravity of his crimes.

Looking back at Browne’s criminal history, he was previously jailed in November 2008 for sexually abusing young girls over an extended period. During that case, he claimed he was sleepwalking when he assaulted two girls, one aged 12, who contacted Childline, and another girl he abused from the age of five until she was 15. Despite these allegations, he initially avoided prosecution at that time.

Earlier in October 2008, Browne, then aged 42, was convicted of child rape and other sex offences after a week-long trial at Exeter Crown Court. He was remanded in custody pending a risk assessment, with Judge Jeremy Griggs warning that Browne faced an “immediate and substantial prison sentence” and would be required to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life, be barred from working with children, and be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order upon sentencing. The court heard that the offences spanned over a decade, involving two victims, one of whom contacted Childline, and the other confided in her mother.

One of the victims testified that she was too frightened to tell anyone about the abuse, fearing disbelief, and recounted recurring nightmares and a loss of trust in men. Her testimony underscored the long-lasting trauma inflicted by Browne’s actions, and her determination to prevent him from harming another girl. The case remains a stark reminder of the dangers posed by repeat offenders like Jack Browne, whose criminal activities have left a lasting scar on the community of Exeter.