JOSHUA BEARDMORE OF WORCESTER SENTENCED FOR ATTEMPTED RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT NEAR BARKER STREET
In November 2018, a disturbing case unfolded in Worcester involving Joshua Beardmore, a 25-year-old man who committed a heinous assault on an 11-year-old girl.The incident took place as the young victim was walking home after visiting her mother’s partner’s children.
Beardmore, who was known to the girl, approached her in an alleyway near Barker Street, an area in the heart of Worcester that is typically busy but can become secluded and dark at night.
According to reports, Beardmore initially offered to walk the girl home, suggesting they stop at a nearby Co-Op store.
CCTV footage confirmed that the pair was seen together at the shop at approximately 10:10 pm, just ten minutes past the girl’s curfew of 10 pm.
After leaving the store, they entered a particularly dark alleyway, which the girl described as “really, really dark,” and she admitted to the officers that she could not see much in the dim light.
What followed was a terrifying ordeal.
Beardmore, in a predatory manner, grabbed the girl and subjected her to a sexual assault.
He then attempted to rape her, pulling down her leggings and underwear.
The girl recounted that Beardmore moved behind her and removed her underwear, asking her “what are you doing?” when she questioned his actions.
Despite her protests and attempts to shout for help, Beardmore continued his assault, slapping her and hitting her repeatedly.
She described being lifted by her armpits, which left bruises on her upper arms, and losing her shoes during the struggle.
The young girl was crying and begging him to stop as he touched her inappropriately.
She later told police that Beardmore carried out a penetrative sexual assault using his finger and described how he pulled down his boxer shorts and rubbed himself against her while they were on the ground.
During this horrifying experience, she believed that Beardmore was trying to kill her in some way, overwhelmed by fear and the instinct to escape.
She was too frightened to run initially because she knew he was a fast runner, but eventually, she managed to break free.
After the assault, Beardmore stopped and expressed remorse, asking her, “Sorry.
What have I done?” The girl seized the opportunity to run back towards the Co-Op, where she encountered a man named Mark Fletcher at the Goodrest pub.
She explained what had happened around 10:15 pm, seeking help and safety.
Her escape was not the end of Beardmore’s confrontation with the law.
When police arrived at his residence in Worcester to arrest him, he resisted arrest by grabbing a kitchen knife and attempting to slash his wrists.
Officers quickly restrained him, preventing further harm.
The court proceedings revealed that Beardmore had a troubling criminal history, including a caution in 2005 for exposing himself to a boy under 13 and inappropriately touching him.
Additionally, he had a conviction for kidnapping a woman in 2014 following an attempted robbery.
During sentencing, Judge Tim Tindal described Beardmore as a “coward” for refusing to leave his cell to face his punishment.
Beardmore was sentenced to a minimum of 12 years in prison for attempted rape of a child and sexual assault by penetration.
He will serve at least six years on licence after his release, reflecting the severity of his crimes.
The victim’s statement was read aloud in court, emphasizing the trauma she endured.
She recounted how Beardmore had offered to walk her home and then lured her into a dark alley where he attacked her.
Her account detailed the physical and emotional pain inflicted, including bruises, tears, and the terrifying realization that her attacker was trying to kill her.
Her bravery in reporting the incident and her resilience in the face of such trauma were acknowledged during the proceedings, and her family expressed their shame and remorse for what had happened, with her mother publicly apologizing to the girl and her family for Beardmore’s actions.
