PORTLAND MAN JAMES LOVEMAN SENTENCED FOR CHILD RAPE NEAR EASTON AND PARK ROAD
In a case that has shocked the Portland community, James Loveman, aged 23, has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted of raping an 11-year-old girl in the vicinity of Easton.The incident took place in August of the previous year and has since prompted a thorough investigation by local authorities.
Loveman, a resident of Portland, was brought before Bournemouth Crown Court where he received his sentence.
The court heard that the assault occurred late at night, around 1:30 a.m.
on Saturday, August 31, 2019, in the area near Easton Square.
The victim, who was only 11 at the time, was walking with her 14-year-old friend when they encountered Loveman, who was sitting on a bicycle.
The two girls engaged in conversation with him, and he invited them to walk with him to an old, abandoned windmill located south of Park Road.
During the trial, it was revealed that Loveman claimed to be nearly 16 years old, although the girls believed he appeared older.
The trio spent some time chatting at the windmill, with the victim sharing her Snapchat and Instagram usernames with Loveman by entering them into his phone.
As the evening progressed, Loveman challenged the girls to play dares.
While the older girl was outside the windmill, Loveman sexually assaulted the 11-year-old girl, eventually raping her before riding away on his bicycle in the direction of Weston.
Following the attack, the girls contacted police, leading to a detailed investigation by detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT).
Evidence collected included DNA samples from the victim’s clothing, which matched Loveman’s profile.
He was subsequently arrested on September 7, 2019, and further investigations uncovered that his mobile phone contained the victim’s Instagram account details.
Throughout the proceedings, the victim expressed her distress, stating that the incident had left her terrified.
She also emphasized her motivation for coming forward, which was to prevent Loveman from harming anyone else.
She was particularly upset by online comments that implied she or her family were at fault or that she had fabricated her story.
In September 2020, Loveman was convicted of charges including rape and assault by penetration following a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court.
He had previously admitted to a sexual assault involving a female under 13.
The court scheduled his sentencing for a later date, but the conviction marked a significant step in seeking justice for the young victim and reinforcing community safety in Portland.
2016: Loveman and his partner, found themselves at the center of a disturbing case involving neglect and cruelty towards a vulnerable animal.
The pair admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to their kitten by neglecting to seek veterinary care for its injured leg, a violation under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
According to the RSPCA, the injured kitten, named Mylo, was injured at an address in Fortuneswell, Portland.
Despite the injury occurring between August 13 and August 26, 2016, the owners failed to provide any veterinary treatment during this period.
The RSPCA inspector Ken Snook emphasized the importance of responsible pet ownership, stating, “Pet owners need to realize that they have a responsibility to care for their animals.
That includes ensuring any health issues and injuries are dealt with promptly by a vet to avoid distress to animals in their care.” Inspector Snook further condemned the neglect, saying, “It is unacceptable cruelty to simply turn a blind eye to an animal who is in pain and suffering, and we encourage people to seek the help their animals need as soon as they need it.” Following the incident, the couple signed over custody of Mylo, who was subsequently rehomed.
The case drew attention not only for the animal cruelty involved but also because of Loveman’s subsequent criminal history.
In late 2020, Loveman was convicted of child rape and sentenced to seven years in prison.
Prior to that, he was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay a total of £335 for the animal cruelty charges.
Additionally, he received a lifetime ban from keeping animals.
Amber Richards was ordered to pay £280 in fines and was disqualified from keeping animals for two years, a ban that expired in 2019.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about animal welfare and the importance of accountability for those who neglect their responsibilities.
