JOSHUA FEARNLEY AND HIS BRUTAL CRIMES IN SHEFFIELD
During a court session at Sheffield Crown Court on October 26, a detailed account was presented of the criminal acts committed by Joshua Fearnley, a 29-year-old resident of Pollard Road, Southey Green, Sheffield.The court heard how Fearnley violated a court order linked to a woman whose identity remains confidential due to legal restrictions.
His actions included an assault on this woman during a series of events that also involved rape and violence before and after the incident.
Fearnley's legal troubles escalated when it was established that he was on bail awaiting resolution of the initial cases.
Despite this, he proceeded to assault another woman and caused damage to her property.
These incidents underscore a disturbing pattern of violence and lawbreaking during a period of heightened legal scrutiny.
Judge Rachael Harrison, presiding over the case, sentenced Fearnley to a lengthy term of 10 years in custody.
In her remarks, she emphasized the irreparable harm done to the victims, stating, “No sentence I pass on you will undo the damage you have done to your victims.
They may view the sentences I pass as not doing justice to the harm you have caused.” Her words reflected the severity of the crimes, which included rape, breach of court orders, and multiple assaults.
The court was informed that Fearnley was convicted of raping the woman involved in the initial case.
He also pleaded guilty to breaching a court order related to her, as well as two counts of assault by beating, which occurred on separate occasions before and after the rape.
Prosecutor Amanda Johnson detailed the violence outside a nightclub prior to the assault and the subsequent assaults outside a hospital when the victim attempted to seek medical help, illustrating a pattern of continued abuse.
Judge Harrison addressed Fearnley's behavior directly, stating, “You prevented her from going into hospital to protect yourself.
You knew you had raped her.” The victim has since suffered from anxiety, sleep disturbances, and has reported that her relationships have been negatively affected by the trauma.
She described her suffering, saying, “I have nightmares about the night this happened.
I have visions of him coming back.
I am on new medication in relation to night terrors and paranoia.” Defense attorney James Manning argued that prior to the rape, there had been consensual sexual activity and that Fearnley’s actions were influenced by alcohol and drug consumption at the time.
Despite this, Fearnley's guilt was established not only in relation to the rape but also for an incident involving a second woman, whom he assaulted, causing actual bodily harm, and to whom he also caused criminal damage at her residence in January.
The assault against the second woman involved kicking, punching, slapping, hair pulling, and property damage, highlighting a violent and disturbing pattern.
The victim of this incident described her trauma, stating, “I have nightmares about the night this happened.
I have visions of him coming back.
I am on new medication in relation to night terrors and paranoia.” In addition to the 10-year custodial sentence, Judge Harrison ordered that Fearnley be registered as a sex offender, ensuring additional monitoring and legal obligations following his release.
The case highlights the devastating impact of Fearnley's actions on his victims and underscores the judicial system's stance on severe penalties for such serious crimes in Sheffield.
