JOHN FORSYTH BETRAYS TRUST IN NUNEATON AND RUGBY WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL
| Red Rose Database
Rugby Nuneaton Child Sexual Abuser
In August 2014, a disturbing case of betrayal and exploitation unfolded involving John Forsyth, a man with ties to Rugby and Nuneaton, who committed a serious sexual offense against a minor. The incident came to light after Forsyth, then 52 years old and residing on Rugby Road in Binley Woods, engaged in inappropriate conduct with a 15-year-old girl, leading to his subsequent arrest and conviction.
It was revealed that Forsyth’s misconduct occurred after he was invited to stay at a family’s home following a social event at a local Nuneaton social club. The family, which included the girl’s parents, had attended the event, during which Forsyth was present. According to court proceedings, there was a conversation during the evening where Forsyth was made aware of the girl’s age, as her father and others discussed her being under 16. Despite this knowledge, Forsyth chose to involve himself further in the family’s private life.
At the conclusion of the social gathering, Forsyth, who lived some distance away, virtually invited himself to accompany the family back to their home. It was agreed that because of the distance, Forsyth could stay overnight, sleeping on the sofa in the living room. As the evening progressed, Forsyth continued socializing with the family members, and eventually, only the girl and Forsyth remained downstairs after the others had gone to bed. During this time, Forsyth placed his hand on her stomach and kissed her, actions which she immediately responded to with concern, stating, “No; this is really bad.”
The situation escalated as they discussed the incident, with the girl pointing out that Forsyth had a son her age. Forsyth admitted that he knew what he was doing was wrong, saying, “I knew this would happen,” but he proceeded to kiss her again. The two then engaged in sexual activity, which was later confirmed to include intercourse. The girl, feeling overwhelmed and needing time to think, went to the bathroom and then announced her intention to go to bed. Forsyth, however, prevented her from doing so, pulling her down and forcing her into further sexual acts without using any form of protection. Afterward, Forsyth attempted to reassure her by claiming he had had a vasectomy, but the girl was concerned about the possibility of pregnancy.
Subsequently, she used her mother’s phone to contact Forsyth via Facebook, where he expressed a desire to meet again and continue their interactions. Her mother discovered these messages, which prompted her to contact the police. Forsyth was arrested at his residence in Edward Road, Bedworth. During questioning, Forsyth admitted that sexual activity had taken place but denied knowing that the girl was under 16.
In court, the defense, represented by Sally Hancox, acknowledged the gravity of the offenses, noting that even consensual penetrative acts of this nature often result in custodial sentences. She explained that Forsyth was intoxicated at the time and was experiencing loneliness. Forsyth, who had been married with three children but was now divorced, had only recently been discharged from the George Eliot Hospital following a drink-related health issue. His legal team argued that he posed a low risk of re-offending and expressed remorse for his actions, describing him as appalled by his own behavior and its consequences.
Judge Richard Griffith-Jones sentenced Forsyth to 28 months in prison and ordered him to register as a sex offender for ten years. In his remarks, the judge emphasized the breach of trust involved, stating, “When you went back to their home that night you were being given hospitality and shelter by the family. They thought they could trust you, and the mother and father went to bed, leaving you downstairs with their child. Although her actions were that of a willing person, this law is there to protect children against being prevailed upon by older men to make a misjudgment. You then had sustained sexual activity with her which included intercourse.”
It was revealed that Forsyth’s misconduct occurred after he was invited to stay at a family’s home following a social event at a local Nuneaton social club. The family, which included the girl’s parents, had attended the event, during which Forsyth was present. According to court proceedings, there was a conversation during the evening where Forsyth was made aware of the girl’s age, as her father and others discussed her being under 16. Despite this knowledge, Forsyth chose to involve himself further in the family’s private life.
At the conclusion of the social gathering, Forsyth, who lived some distance away, virtually invited himself to accompany the family back to their home. It was agreed that because of the distance, Forsyth could stay overnight, sleeping on the sofa in the living room. As the evening progressed, Forsyth continued socializing with the family members, and eventually, only the girl and Forsyth remained downstairs after the others had gone to bed. During this time, Forsyth placed his hand on her stomach and kissed her, actions which she immediately responded to with concern, stating, “No; this is really bad.”
The situation escalated as they discussed the incident, with the girl pointing out that Forsyth had a son her age. Forsyth admitted that he knew what he was doing was wrong, saying, “I knew this would happen,” but he proceeded to kiss her again. The two then engaged in sexual activity, which was later confirmed to include intercourse. The girl, feeling overwhelmed and needing time to think, went to the bathroom and then announced her intention to go to bed. Forsyth, however, prevented her from doing so, pulling her down and forcing her into further sexual acts without using any form of protection. Afterward, Forsyth attempted to reassure her by claiming he had had a vasectomy, but the girl was concerned about the possibility of pregnancy.
Subsequently, she used her mother’s phone to contact Forsyth via Facebook, where he expressed a desire to meet again and continue their interactions. Her mother discovered these messages, which prompted her to contact the police. Forsyth was arrested at his residence in Edward Road, Bedworth. During questioning, Forsyth admitted that sexual activity had taken place but denied knowing that the girl was under 16.
In court, the defense, represented by Sally Hancox, acknowledged the gravity of the offenses, noting that even consensual penetrative acts of this nature often result in custodial sentences. She explained that Forsyth was intoxicated at the time and was experiencing loneliness. Forsyth, who had been married with three children but was now divorced, had only recently been discharged from the George Eliot Hospital following a drink-related health issue. His legal team argued that he posed a low risk of re-offending and expressed remorse for his actions, describing him as appalled by his own behavior and its consequences.
Judge Richard Griffith-Jones sentenced Forsyth to 28 months in prison and ordered him to register as a sex offender for ten years. In his remarks, the judge emphasized the breach of trust involved, stating, “When you went back to their home that night you were being given hospitality and shelter by the family. They thought they could trust you, and the mother and father went to bed, leaving you downstairs with their child. Although her actions were that of a willing person, this law is there to protect children against being prevailed upon by older men to make a misjudgment. You then had sustained sexual activity with her which included intercourse.”