JULIE AND JENNIFER FELLOWS FROM KINGTON SENTENCED IN WORCESTER FOR DECADES OF SEXUAL ABUSE

In a case that has shocked the community of Kington and the wider Worcestershire area, two sisters, Julie Fellows, aged 30, and Jennifer Fellows, aged 32, have been convicted of a long history of sexual abuse involving a young boy. The disturbing series of events spans over a decade, beginning when the victim was just six years old and continuing into his teenage years.

Julie Fellows was initially sentenced in August 2016 to a two-year suspended prison term after being convicted of indecent assault and engaging in sexual activity with a child. The charges detailed her inappropriate conduct with the boy during his childhood, specifically between October 2000 and April 2004, when he was aged six to nine, and later when he was between 13 and 17 years old, from October 2008 to October 2010. Despite her conviction, the sentence was considered too lenient by the courts.

At the time, a judge at Worcester Crown Court decided that imprisonment would cause her complete social isolation, especially as she was pregnant and due to give birth in January. The court acknowledged her profound deafness, which complicated her communication, and expressed concern that prison facilities do not adequately accommodate sign language users. As a result, the judge sentenced her to two years in prison, suspended for two years, and imposed a supervision order along with a requirement to complete 30 sessions of a sexual offending program. Additionally, a five-year restraining order was issued to prevent contact with the victim.

Jennifer Fellows, who was also found guilty of gross indecency with a child under 16 and inciting a male child to engage in non-penetrative sexual acts, received a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for one year, along with similar supervision and program requirements. Both sisters appeared in court via sign language interpreters, highlighting their profound deafness, which was a significant factor in the court’s decision to avoid immediate imprisonment.

The court heard that the abuse began when Julie was approximately 14 years old, luring the young boy into petrol station toilets in 2000, where she engaged in inappropriate behavior. On another occasion, she performed a sex act on the boy, who believed this was normal due to its frequency. The abuse escalated over the years, with Julie later having sex with the boy on a sofa when he was 14, while her boyfriend was asleep nearby. The victim only realized the abnormality of these behaviors after confiding in friends.

The sisters’ actions were described as deeply disturbing, with the court noting the significant impact on the victim. Prosecutor Simon Phillips detailed the routine nature of the abuse, emphasizing the victim’s confusion and emotional trauma. The court also heard that Julie later moved in with her fiancé, Adam Western, and that the abuse continued during this period, including a full sexual intercourse when the victim was over 16.

The defense argued that the sisters’ profound deafness and the fact that Julie was pregnant at the time should be taken into account, asserting that imprisonment would be excessively damaging and that prison facilities lack the necessary resources for individuals with such disabilities. Their legal representatives highlighted that both sisters had led constructive lives despite their disabilities.

Judge Robert Juckes QC, presiding over the case, explained that the starting point for Julie’s offending guideline was six years in prison, and for Jennifer, one year. However, he chose to deviate from these guidelines, citing their disabilities, the potential harm of incarceration, and the fact that both women relied heavily on sign language interpreters. The judge emphasized that prison would likely result in complete isolation for both, which would be highly damaging.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Juckes described the case as “depressing and disturbing,” and expressed concern about the impact of imprisonment on the sisters’ mental health and communication abilities. He acknowledged their efforts to develop high skills in sign language and noted that such facilities are not available in prison, which would further exacerbate their isolation.

Julie Fellows, who was pregnant and dressed in a pink dress, received a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years. Jennifer Fellows, dressed in a blue jacket and navy jogging bottoms, was sentenced to 12 months in jail, suspended for one year. Both sisters were also ordered to undergo 12 months of supervision, complete 30 sessions of a sexual offending program, and adhere to a five-year restraining order preventing contact with the victim.

The court’s findings revealed that the abuse began in 2000 when Julie was approximately 14, and Jennifer was 16. The victim believed the abusive behavior was normal, as it was so frequent. The prosecution detailed instances where Julie encouraged the boy to lose his virginity and engaged in sexual acts with him, including a brief period of intercourse when he was 14 and she was in her early twenties. Julie claimed that the sisters played “boyfriend and girlfriend” games but denied that any sexual intercourse ever occurred.

Throughout the proceedings, the court was made aware of the severe impact of the sisters’ disabilities, which include profound deafness and degenerative conditions affecting their ability to lip read. Their defense highlighted that without interpreters, communication would be impossible, and imprisonment would lead to total isolation. The case has left a lasting scar on the community of Kington and serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in cases involving individuals with disabilities and serious criminal conduct.