JOHN STANLEY FROM LIVERPOOL SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS FOR TERRIFYING ATTACK ON TEENAGER
In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Liverpool, John Stanley, a 35-year-old man from Handlake Drive, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of a brutal assault and false imprisonment involving a teenage girl.The incident, which took place in October 2018, saw Stanley lure a 17-year-old girl into his vehicle and subsequently force her into his flat, leading to a terrifying ordeal that left the victim traumatized.
Supporters of Stanley, who had gathered in the public gallery, were visibly distressed as the judge handed down the sentence.
One woman was seen crying out and sobbing as Stanley was sentenced to 11 years in prison, with a minimum of seven years to be served before he could be considered for parole.
The court heard that Stanley had initially convinced the girl to get into his car under the pretense of needing help to get home.
The girl, who was attempting to assist him despite feeling uneasy, was accompanied by a friend and an unidentified man at the time.
According to the court proceedings, Stanley drove away from a local club, during which he separated from the girl’s friend and the other man, dropping them off at different locations.
He then took the girl to a flat, despite her protests and pleas for him to call her a taxi and let her leave.
Once inside the flat, Stanley forcibly dragged her by the head and locked her inside.
The victim recounted that she resisted a sexual advance, after which Stanley pinned her down on the bed and choked her.
Her escape was only possible after she managed to hit him over the head with a high heel and then found the keys to the flat, which she used to flee.
Despite CCTV footage showing Stanley, the girl, her friend, and the unidentified man entering his car, Stanley initially denied ever having met the girl that night.
However, police investigations traced the vehicle registration to him, and the girl later confirmed his identity as her attacker.
The jury at Liverpool Crown Court convicted Stanley of false imprisonment in May, recognizing the severity of his actions.
In interviews with the probation service, Stanley admitted to some aspects of what had transpired but denied others, including the sexual assault.
The victim’s account, supported by police evidence, was deemed credible by the court.
Judge Brian Cummings, QC, emphasized that the timeline provided by the girl was the full truth and criticized Stanley for minimizing his actions even after being convicted.
The judge described the incident as an “entirely terrifying ordeal for the victim” and condemned Stanley for his lack of remorse.
Judge Cummings stated that Stanley posed a significant threat to the public and therefore sentenced him to an extended term of 11 years.
He clarified that Stanley would need to serve at least seven years in custody before being eligible for parole.
During the sentencing, two of Stanley’s supporters in the gallery became visibly upset.
One woman was seen crying as a man comforted her, prompting the judge to temporarily halt proceedings to maintain order.
The court then resumed, with the judge imposing additional measures including a restraining order preventing Stanley from contacting the victim and a criminal behavior order requiring him to notify authorities of his conviction before seeking certain employment opportunities.
