MAN FOUND GUILTY OF RAPING 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL ON PORTLAND
A man has been convicted of raping an 11-year-old girl in Portland.James Connell Loveman, aged 23 and a resident of Portland, was found guilty today of rape and sexual assault by penetration after a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court.
He has previously admitted to sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13.
The victim, who was only 11 at the time, was out with her 14-year-old friend on the night of Friday, August 30, 2019.
The two girls were walking around Portland when, around 1:30 a.m.
on Saturday, August 31, they encountered a man sitting on a bicycle in the area of Easton Square.
The girls disclosed their ages to him, and he asked if they wanted to accompany him to an abandoned windmill located south of Park Road.
Loveman claimed he was 15, nearing 16, but both girls believed he appeared older.
The three of them spent time chatting at the windmill, during which the victim entered her Snapchat and Instagram usernames into Loveman’s phone.
He then challenged them to play dares.
While the older girl was outside the windmill, Loveman sexually assaulted the 11-year-old.
Later, he asked the 14-year-old to step outside again, then raped the younger girl before leaving on his bike toward Weston.
Following the assault, the girls contacted the police, prompting an investigation led by the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT).
Investigators obtained a DNA sample from the victim’s clothing, which matched Loveman’s DNA profile.
He was detained on Saturday, September 7, 2019.
Further analysis of Loveman’s mobile phone revealed the victim’s Instagram account details stored on his device.
Detective Inspector Wayne Seymour of MCIT stated: “James Loveman took his young victim to a secluded spot late at night and subjected her to a heinous sexual assault.
I commend the victim for her bravery throughout the investigation and trial, which helped secure Loveman’s conviction for these appalling crimes.
Her courage should encourage others who have experienced similar offenses to come forward, knowing we will do everything possible to identify the perpetrator and secure justice.” Loveman is set to be sentenced at a future date.