PHILIP JONES BRANDED DANGER TO WOMEN IN LIVERPOOL COURT AS HE IS SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES
Philip Jones, a former soldier from Wirral, was classified as a danger to women after a series of heinous crimes including the rape and molestation of a young girl, which only came to light recently.The crimes were uncovered during a court hearing where the victim, now older, bravely disclosed the abuse she had endured nearly a decade earlier.
The girl, sitting alongside her mother at Liverpool Crown Court, explained to prosecutor Eric Lamb: "She wanted to disclose the offending for several years, feeling burdened by the secret.
She was told not to tell her mother and was scared of reprimand, but she said she wanted to 'get this off my chest.'" The court learned that the girl was initially confused during her first sexually abusive encounter with Jones and was only vomiting at the time, yet Jones pretended to comfort her before raping her.
On subsequent occasions, she was raped again, and in one incident, he performed a sex act on her.
Jones, aged 59, appeared via video link from prison, where he is serving a sentence after earlier convictions and recent breaches, including hiding a mobile phone from police.
Prosecutor Mr.
Lamb stated: “She explained that she wanted to disclose the offending for several years and she felt the burden of carrying the secret.
The girl stated that she was 'confused and scared' at the time and that Jones told her not to tell anyone, which increased her fear and confusion.
She described her feelings as 'really sad' and revealed that smelling Jones’ body wash triggers memories of her abuse, often bringing her to tears when stressed.
Jones’s criminal history includes earlier convictions for wounding in 1990 and a previous three-and-a-half-year prison sentence in 1996 for a sexual offence now classified as rape.
After leaving the Army, he worked as an HGV driver and in February 2013, targeted a 24-year-old woman at The Tap in Birkenhead, where he used the prescription drug nitrazepam, similar to the date-rape drug Rohypnol, to facilitate assault.
Police examination of Jones’s seized computer uncovered 183 indecent images of children, extreme pornography, and extensive internet searches related to rape sites and 'date rape.' Jones admitted to administering substances for sexual purposes and faced 15 charges involving indecent images and pornographic material.
He was sentenced in December to 20 months for breaching the Sex Offenders Register and a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).
His home was raided on November 4, where police discovered a hidden mobile phone behind a kitchen cupboard.
Currently, he is recalled to prison on license, with his initial sentence due to expire in June 2022.
Defense lawyer Rebecca Smith acknowledged Jones’s acceptance of a lengthy prison term, expressing that he recognizes the distress caused.
She added, “He understands the difficulties, embarrassment, and misery his offending has caused.” Ms.
Smith also noted that Jones has taken courses aimed at addressing his behavior, acknowledging his struggles and offering apologies to his victim.
However, Judge David Swinnerton highlighted the girl’s fear in revealing her abuse, describing the crime as 'disgraceful.' He noted Jones’s failure to disclose his past crimes during court-ordered courses and that his initial denial diminished his remorse.
Addressing the impact on the young victim, the judge said: “She described her distress at remembering the pain of the abuse.
I have no doubt that this memory will stay with her even as she copes with it.” Regarding the specific incident when the girl was most vulnerable after being ill, Judge Swinnerton remarked: “You acted as a predatory paedophile when the opportunity presented itself.” He sentenced Jones to 13 and a half years in prison, with an extended five years on licence, specifying that he must serve at least nine years before seeking parole.
He will need to register as a sex offender for life and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
In closing, the judge addressed the girl directly: “Thank you for your bravery in coming forward and in court today.”
