JOHN AXFORD FROM DARLINGTON JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN CARLISLE

In April 2004, a serious criminal case unfolded involving John Axford, a 38-year-old truck driver from Darlington, who was convicted of engaging in unlawful sexual activity with a minor. The incident took place in Carlisle, where Axford was delivering a load of bricks and parked his vehicle. During this time, a 14-year-old girl approached his truck, and according to court reports, she explicitly expressed her desire to engage in sexual activity with him.

Despite the apparent age discrepancy, Axford proceeded to have sex with the girl inside his vehicle. The court was informed that during the act, the girl’s mobile phone rang—an incoming call from her mother, who was inquiring about her whereabouts. Remarkably, the court noted that after the encounter, the girl showed no noticeable change in behavior, which was part of the evidence considered during sentencing.

At Carlisle Crown Court, Axford admitted to a single charge of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. The court proceedings revealed that the girl had initiated contact with Axford while his lorry was parked, and he did not deny the act. The judge, Mr. Justice Morland, delivered the sentence, emphasizing that he believed Axford’s claim of genuinely thinking the girl was 17 years old. However, he also pointed out that the seriousness of the offense warranted a custodial sentence.

As a result, Axford was sentenced to three months in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for a minimum period of seven years. The judge acknowledged Axford’s reputation as a hardworking individual but stressed that this particular offense was grave enough to warrant imprisonment. He concluded by stating that he saw no reason to believe Axford posed a future risk to children or young women, but the sentence reflected the severity of the crime committed in Darlington and Carlisle.