SHAUN JONES FROM WEST DERBY SENTENCED FOR GROOMING AND RAPE OF 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN LIVERPOOL

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of West Derby and the wider Liverpool area, Shaun Jones, a young man with ties to the West Derby neighborhood, was sentenced to nine years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against a vulnerable 12-year-old girl. The incident, which took place when Jones was just 17 years old, involved a disturbing pattern of grooming, exploitation, and sexual assault that left lasting scars on the young victim.

Jones, who resides on Haydn Road in West Derby, appeared before Liverpool Crown Court to face charges that included 20 counts of sexual offences. The court was told how Jones manipulated the girl, who was at the time a schoolchild, gradually gaining her trust and infatuation through a calculated process of grooming. The judge, Mr. Justice David Aubrey, QC, described how Jones’s actions effectively put the girl “under his spell,” leading her into a state of obsession and emotional vulnerability.

During the proceedings, the court heard the extent of Jones’s abuse, which included making the girl perform sexual acts upon him, raping her, and subjecting her to indecent assaults in public settings. Furthermore, Jones demanded that the girl send him explicit images and videos of herself, which he reciprocated with his own explicit material. The young victim confided in police that Jones had convinced her she was “in love” with him, despite her own feelings of discomfort and awareness that what was happening was wrong. She expressed to officers that she “knew it wasn’t right” and “shouldn’t be doing it,” but her emotional attachment and obsession made her feel powerless to resist.

In her statement to authorities, the girl also revealed that she blamed herself for the abuse, believing that she was at fault. However, Judge Aubrey emphasized that this was not her fault, but rather a consequence of Jones’s grooming and exploitation. The judge highlighted the psychological damage inflicted upon her, noting that she had become withdrawn, often isolating herself in her bedroom, and was undergoing counselling to cope with the trauma. The court acknowledged that the harm caused was “everlasting and permanent,” leaving deep emotional scars.

Jones’s defense lawyer, Robert Wyn Jones, described his client as remorseful and mentioned that Jones had attempted to take his own life while in custody at Altcourse Prison. The lawyer also pointed out that Jones had previously excelled in the Army cadets, suggesting a complex character. Despite this, the court was clear that Jones’s actions were deliberate and predatory. As part of the sentence, Jones was placed under a sexual harm prevention order, which includes an indefinite ban on associating with children and a requirement to change his name to prevent further contact with minors.

Judge Aubrey concluded by condemning Jones’s conduct, stating that the victim had suffered “everlasting and permanent” damage, and reaffirmed that the responsibility for the abuse lay solely with Jones. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of grooming and sexual exploitation on young victims and the importance of justice in holding offenders accountable.