JOHN DUKE FROM GLOUCESTER SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRLS

In October 2016, a disturbing case unfolded at Gloucester Crown Court involving John Duke, a 52-year-old man from Gloucester, who was convicted of sexually abusing four young girls over a period of several years. The court proceedings revealed a pattern of heinous misconduct that had devastating effects on his victims and shocked the local community.

John Duke, who resided on Stanway Road in Gloucester, was described during the trial as an isolated individual who had spent his entire life living with his mother. Court reports indicated that he had never engaged in an adult romantic relationship, and his social interactions appeared limited. Despite this, he was entrusted by parents to care for their children as a babysitter, a role in which he betrayed that trust through repeated acts of sexual molestation.

The abuse reportedly began when Duke was only 13 years old himself, marking a disturbing start to a lifelong pattern of offending. Over the subsequent decades, he continued to commit these acts, which only came to light last year under tragic circumstances. The latest victim, a five-year-old girl, was being cared for by her mother when the mother unexpectedly entered the bedroom to retrieve her daughter and caught Duke in the act. This incident finally brought his long history of abuse into the public eye.

Throughout the legal process, Duke maintained his innocence, denying all nine charges of sexual assault brought against him. His attempts to avoid court proceedings included feigning illness or injury whenever he was scheduled to appear. The court was informed that he was in hospital after spilling patio cleaner into his eyes, prompting police to arrest him. This arrest marked the end of his evasion of justice, which had persisted through several hearings.

On the day of his court appearance, Duke pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting his most recent victim on May 27 of the previous year. However, he continued to deny allegations made by three other women, now aged 45, 27, and in her late teens. The following morning, after spending a night in custody on remand, Duke changed his stance and admitted guilt to all charges.

The victims and their families expressed their anguish during the proceedings. The mother of the five-year-old girl described her heartbreak, stating, “This broke my heart — it haunts me every day. It breaks my heart to think what my daughter went through at the hands of someone she trusted and loved. Every night when I go to bed, I have an image of seeing what he was doing to my daughter.”

The second victim, now 27, shared her emotional scars, saying, “It has completely screwed my head up. It has had a massive impact on my life. I have lost my trust in people, especially older men. I feel angry towards him, I hate him. He is disgusting and he has made me feel disgusting.”

The third victim, aged 18, revealed ongoing struggles with her sense of safety and trust. She admitted that she no longer liked being hugged by anyone, and her relationship with her father had suffered. She also mentioned sleeping with more clothes on than before, feeling vulnerable and unsafe.

Representing Duke, lawyer Jason Coulter acknowledged the profound impact of his actions, stating, “One can fully understand and appreciate what he has put his victims through. It is truly awful.” He also noted that Duke’s guilty plea spared the victims the ordeal of testifying in court, describing it as a relief for his client.

Judge Michael Cullum sentenced John Duke to 15 years in prison, emphasizing the severity of his crimes. The judge remarked, “You have caused incalculable and irreplaceable damage. You present a real and uncontrollable risk of further offending.” The court also ordered that Duke remain on prison license until the year 2039, with the possibility of release only if the Parole Board determines he is no longer a danger to the public, particularly to young girls.