JOSHUA HUGHES CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING AND RAPE IN CHESTER

In July 2021, a disturbing case of sexual violence and abduction unfolded in Chester, leading to the conviction and imprisonment of Joshua Hughes, a man with no fixed address. The incident, which took place near Grosvenor Park, involved the kidnapping and subsequent rape of a 15-year-old girl, shocking the local community and prompting a thorough police investigation.

According to court records, Hughes, aged 27 at the time, was found guilty of the serious charges after a four-day trial that concluded on Thursday, June 10. The court heard that Hughes had approached the young girl around 8:20 pm on Saturday, October 31 of the previous year. The victim and her two friends were walking up the steps near the suspension bridge, heading towards the city center when Hughes suddenly intervened. He placed his arm around the girl’s neck, forcibly pulling her away from her friends to a more secluded spot nearby.

There, Hughes committed the heinous act of rape. Following the assault, he climbed over a wall and fled the scene, leaving the victim traumatized and in distress. Her friends, witnessing the assault, quickly ran for help. One of them managed to call emergency services, alerting the police and other members of the public to the incident.

Police officers responded swiftly, arriving at the scene to provide immediate support and care to the victim. The investigation that followed was extensive and meticulous, involving forensic analysis, review of numerous CCTV footage, and interviews with witnesses. These efforts eventually led detectives to identify Hughes as the suspect. He was arrested on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, and taken into custody for questioning.

Hughes appeared before Chester Crown Court, where he was formally convicted of kidnapping and rape. The judge, Judge Berkson, sentenced him to 18 years in prison, with an additional seven years on license following his release. The court also ordered that Hughes be placed on the sex offenders register and subject to a sexual harm prevention order, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community.

During the sentencing, Judge Berkson emphasized the predatory nature of Hughes’s actions, stating, “On that night it is clear from the evidence that your intention was to kidnap a girl to have sex with. You are indeed the predatory rapist the jury found you to be and have shown no remorse for your behaviour.” The case highlights the importance of swift justice and community safety measures in addressing such serious crimes in Chester.