JAMES CASTLE FROM STAFFORD SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ROBBERY IN STAFFORD

In a serious case that has shocked the Stafford community, James Castle, a 32-year-old man with a history of homelessness in Stafford, has been handed a significant prison sentence following his conviction for multiple violent crimes committed within the town.

Castle appeared before Stafford Crown Court on Thursday, 21 November, where he pleaded guilty to charges of robbery, sexual assault, and assault. The court sentenced him to seven years in prison, with an additional five years on extended licence, reflecting the gravity of his offenses. As part of his sentence, Castle will also be required to register as a sex offender, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

The court proceedings revealed that the sexual assault occurred early in the morning on 1 May of the same year. According to the evidence presented, Castle was seen following a woman along a cycle-path that runs parallel to the River Sow, heading from Fairway towards the town centre. The assault took place around 7 am, when Castle forcibly grabbed the woman with enough strength to cause her to fall to the ground. Once on the ground, he held onto her and committed a sexual assault, an act that has caused considerable distress to the victim and the community.

During the incident, a woman nearby came to the aid of the victim, attempting to intervene. Meanwhile, a man who witnessed the assault tried to pursue Castle, capturing an image of him on his mobile phone in an effort to aid police identification. Despite this, Castle managed to evade capture at that time. However, law enforcement officers were able to identify him from the photograph and subsequently arrested him. Castle admitted to the sexual assault during police questioning on 14 October.

Further investigations uncovered that Castle was involved in another serious incident earlier that year. On the early hours of 24 February, he committed a robbery as a woman was walking home from a pub in the town centre. As she approached her residence, Castle attacked her, grabbing her by her hoodie. During the struggle, she sustained a broken finger, and Castle forcibly snatched her bag. The victim’s bag was later found discarded nearby, providing crucial evidence for the case.

Authorities reviewed CCTV footage from the scene of the February robbery, which clearly showed Castle wearing the same clothing as during the sexual assault. This evidence, combined with the witness accounts and the photographic evidence, led to his identification and subsequent arrest. Castle’s history of homelessness in Stafford was also noted during the court proceedings, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals in vulnerable circumstances and the importance of community safety measures.