JAMES CHESTER FROM PORTSMOUTH JAILED FOR ABDUCTION AND SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING TEENAGE GIRL

In September 2008, James Chester, a 22-year-old man from Portsmouth, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after being convicted of serious criminal offenses involving a teenage girl. Chester’s crimes included abducting the girl and engaging in sexual activity with her, actions that have shocked the local community and prompted a stern judicial response.

Chester’s criminal activities began years earlier, with a disturbing attempt to infiltrate local schools under false pretenses. In September 2005, when he was 19, Chester used a fabricated birth certificate along with a supportive letter to gain entry into St Edmund’s Catholic School in Portsmouth. He managed to pose as a Year 10 student for approximately three weeks before school staff grew suspicious of his identity. Once doubts arose, the authorities were alerted, but Chester was not formally charged at that time.

His attempts to gain access to educational institutions did not end there. A year later, Chester attempted to enroll at the City of Portsmouth Boys’ School. However, background checks and verification processes led to his rejection, preventing him from further exploiting the school system. Despite these failed attempts, Chester’s actions culminated in a more serious incident involving a young girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Chester’s victim was a 13-year-old girl who was not a student at either of the schools he previously tried to infiltrate. The pair went missing in August of the previous year, prompting a police investigation. After two days, Chester and the girl were found in Northern Ireland, leading to his arrest and subsequent charges.

During the court proceedings, Chester was described as suffering from a personality disorder and was considered to be delusional, a condition attributed to a violent and troubled childhood. Prosecutor Mary Johnson revealed that Chester had given the girl a ring, and she had told police she believed they would marry. The girl also expressed regret, stating that if she had known Chester’s true age, she would not have entered into the relationship.

Defense attorney Jennifer Knight described Chester as a disturbed, confused, and unhappy individual who had been taken into care from his father and wished to be 16 years old. She emphasized that Chester did not use coercion or violence to engage in sexual activity with the girl, suggesting a complex psychological background.

Judge Graham White, presiding over the case, emphasized the gravity of Chester’s offenses. He highlighted the element of deception involved, noting that Chester had lied about his age, claiming to be 16 or 17, which influenced the girl’s decision to engage in a relationship. The judge pointed out that Chester’s actions also deceived her parents, who are responsible for her protection.

While the judge clarified that Chester was not mentally ill, he acknowledged the presence of a personality disorder and ordered that Chester undergo treatment. As part of his sentence, Chester was banned from entering within 50 meters of secondary schools, playgrounds, or children’s events. He was also prohibited from wearing school uniforms or attempting to enroll in schools again. Additionally, Chester was barred from working with children and was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to protect the community from further harm.