SIMON CHABLE'S 12-YEAR SENTENCE FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN CHELMSFORD UPHELD BY COURT OF APPEAL

In a recent legal ruling, Simon Chable, a 35-year-old resident of Chelmsford, has seen his appeal against a substantial prison sentence rejected by the Court of Appeal in London. The case, which garnered significant attention due to the serious nature of the crimes involved, centered around allegations of sexual misconduct involving a teenage girl.

Chable was initially convicted at Chelmsford Crown Court in May of this year, where he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including the rape of a child and five counts of engaging in sexual activity with a minor. The court sentenced him to a total of twelve years in prison, a decision that his legal representatives later challenged, claiming the sentence was excessively harsh given the circumstances.

Lawyers representing Chable argued that while the individual sentences—eight years for the rape and four years for sexual activity with a minor—were appropriate, the combined total of twelve years was disproportionate and therefore manifestly excessive. They contended that the severity of the punishment did not align with the specifics of the case.

However, the appeal was firmly dismissed by three senior judges, including Mr. Justice Sweeney, Lord Justice Aikens, and Judge Peter Jacobs QC. Mr. Justice Sweeney emphasized that some of the offenses dated back several years, but the defendant was eventually apprehended after being overheard discussing his sexual activities with the girl over the phone. This evidence played a crucial role in the case, leading to his arrest last year.

Following his arrest, Chable was released on bail, during which time he continued to communicate with the girl through Facebook, sending her text messages and emails. The situation escalated as he subsequently arranged to meet her multiple times, engaging in sexual intercourse on several occasions. These actions contributed to the court's assessment of the case and the severity of his sentence.

According to reports, Chable was identified as posing a high risk not only to the girl involved but also to other girls of her age, which further justified the length of his imprisonment. His legal team maintained that the separate sentences for the different charges were fair but argued that the overall twelve-year term was excessive. Nonetheless, the Court of Appeal upheld the original sentence, with Mr. Justice Sweeney stating that, despite the severity of the offenses, the sentence was not manifestly excessive when considering all factors involved.

In conclusion, the court dismissed Chable's appeal, reaffirming the justice of the original sentencing and underscoring the seriousness with which such crimes are treated within the legal system in Chelmsford and beyond.