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.