JAMES LUNN OF BLACKPOOL SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IN DEVON
In a case that has shocked the community, James Lunn, a man from Blackpool, was convicted of heinous sexual offenses committed against a young girl over a decade ago in North Devon.The victim, now an adult, bravely addressed the court, expressing her resilience and determination not to let her traumatic past define her future.
The incident dates back more than ten years when Lunn, then acting as a babysitter, groomed and assaulted the girl at a property in North Devon.
The court heard that Lunn, aged 62 at the time of sentencing, had subjected the young girl to three separate sexual assaults, including an incident where he put his hands down her trousers while she was watching television.
The trial revealed that Lunn used gifts as a means of grooming the child, a tactic often employed by predators to gain trust and manipulate their victims for wicked purposes.
Following the trial in January, Lunn was found guilty of these serious offenses.
On Monday, Exeter Crown Court sentenced him to six years in prison, with an extended license period of four additional years.
The judge described Lunn as a predator who had exploited the innocence of a vulnerable child for his own depraved motives.
The victim, who was only eight years old at the time of the abuse, delivered a powerful statement in court.
She described her life over the past twelve years as a 'waking nightmare,' plagued by flashbacks and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
She expressed how the abuse had impacted her adult relationships and emotional well-being.
Despite her suffering, she remarked on her perception of Lunn during the court proceedings, stating that the man she saw was 'a sad old man who couldn't even look me in the eyes.' She emphasized her strength and resilience, declaring, 'I will not allow the actions of one paedophile to dictate my life.' She added that she was a better person than Lunn and looked forward to a brighter future, contrasting her life with his.
Her words served as a reminder that her courage and recovery are ongoing, despite the trauma inflicted upon her.
It was also revealed that Lunn had a prior conviction from 2009 for sexually assaulting a girl.
However, at that time, he managed to convince the court that his actions were merely the result of being 'an idiot' for giving a young girl a love bite, which resulted in a community order rather than a prison sentence.
Judge Peter Johnson, presiding over the case, imposed additional restrictions on Lunn, including a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a requirement to register as a sex offender.
Addressing the court, the judge emphasized the profound impact on the victim, stating, 'She blames others and herself, but let me be clear—there's only one person to blame, and that is you.' The judge highlighted that Lunn had robbed the girl of her childhood and caused her mental health issues, asserting that she had nothing to be ashamed of and that her suffering was not her fault.
Judge Johnson expressed concern about Lunn's potential danger to other young girls, citing his significant criminal background and the grooming behavior on multiple occasions.
He considered Lunn to pose a substantial risk of causing serious harm in the future.
As a result, Lunn will serve two-thirds of his six-year sentence before being considered for parole.
Upon release, he will be subject to a ten-year license period, during which he must adhere to strict conditions to prevent further harm.
