JOSEPH WHALEBONE SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN MARGATE AND SOUTH EAST LONDON

In March 2019, a disturbing case involving Joseph Whalebone, a 78-year-old man from Margate, culminated in his being sentenced to 14 years in prison for a series of heinous crimes against a young girl. The court heard that Whalebone had engaged in a prolonged campaign of sexual abuse spanning over seven years, during which he assaulted the victim at a residence in Margate as well as at another property located in south east London.

The charges against Whalebone included three counts of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13, a grave offense that underscores the severity of his actions. Additionally, he faced a charge of possessing extreme pornographic images, which included a total of 923 images and 66 videos. The material he owned contained disturbing content involving animals, further highlighting the depravity of his offenses.

Whalebone had previously pleaded guilty to the possession of these images and videos during a hearing prior to the sentencing. The court was informed that his collection included highly explicit and illegal material, which he admitted owning.

Judge James O’Mahony, presiding over the case, described the impact of the abuse on the victim, revealing that she had expressed a desire to die. The girl confided in officers after attempting to take her own life, a revelation that the judge emphasized as indicative of the severe psychological harm inflicted upon her. The court acknowledged the profound and lasting damage caused by Whalebone’s actions.

Throughout the proceedings, Whalebone maintained his innocence on several counts. He denied seven counts of sexual assault and three counts of raping the child. However, the jury was unable to reach a verdict on the rape charges, resulting in a not guilty verdict for those specific allegations. Despite his denials, the court found him guilty of three counts of sexual assault based on the evidence presented.

During the sentencing, Whalebone appeared in court dressed in a black top. He chose to speak only to confirm his identity and was observed waving to friends and family as he was led away from the dock, signifying the conclusion of the legal process. The case has left a lasting impact on the community, highlighting the importance of justice for victims of such heinous crimes.