JOSHUA ASHTON FROM GREAT HARWOOD SENTENCED FOR CHILD RAPE IN BURNLEY

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community, Joshua Ashton, a resident of Great Harwood, was convicted of heinous sexual offenses involving a young girl. The incident took place in Burnley, where Ashton’s actions have left a lasting impact on the victim and the local community alike.

Ashton, who was 22 years old at the time of his conviction, had previously served a five-year sentence out of a ten-year term. He was released from prison on Friday, April 26th, 2019, and subsequently returned to the Blackburn area, which is in close proximity to Great Harwood. His release has raised concerns among residents and authorities about the ongoing risk he poses.

The court proceedings in Burnley Crown Court revealed the disturbing details of Ashton’s abuse. The court was told how he had subjected a schoolgirl, who was under the age of 13, to repeated physical, emotional, and sexual assaults. The victim, who was pre-pubescent at the time, endured a series of traumatic experiences at Ashton’s hands. During the trial, it was described how Ashton dominated her, telling her to stay silent as she rejected his advances. On one particular occasion, he attempted to molest her and dismissed her protests by claiming it was “just a bit of fun.”

The court heard that Ashton denied the allegations, claiming that the girl’s accusations were false and that she was merely seeking attention. He dismissed her claims as a “pack of lies” and told police that she was an attention seeker. Despite his denials, a jury found him guilty of three counts of raping a child under 13, a conviction that underscores the severity of his crimes.

Following his conviction, Ashton was handed a substantial sentence of ten years in prison. Additionally, the court imposed an indefinite sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits him from having any contact or communication with children under the age of 16. The order also bans him from allowing any child under 16 into his residence. Furthermore, Ashton is now required to register as a sex offender indefinitely and is barred from working in any capacity that involves contact with children.

Prosecutor Sarah Johnson emphasized the predatory nature of Ashton’s actions, stating, “The defendant had the opportunity, he had the desire and he had the persistence to force himself upon her.” She detailed how, during the second assault, Ashton used his body weight to overpower the girl, who repeatedly told him to stop but was ignored. The victim, who was left feeling scared and confused, did not initially understand what had happened to her. It was only after she confided in her family that authorities were alerted, leading to Ashton’s arrest and subsequent prosecution.

Judge Jonathan Gibson, presiding over the case, described the offenses as “extremely serious” and acknowledged the compelling evidence against Ashton. He highlighted the significant psychological harm inflicted on the young girl, noting that her fear and confusion prevented her from reporting the abuse sooner. The judge’s sentencing reflects the gravity of Ashton’s crimes and the ongoing threat he poses to the community.