STUART WOOLMAN FROM CHELMSFORD SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a case that has shocked the community of Chelmsford, Stuart Woolman, aged 21, was sentenced to a total of eight and a half years in prison following his conviction for the heinous crime of raping an 11-year-old girl and committing another sexual assault. The incident took place on December 22, during the festive season, and has left a lasting impact on the victim and her family.

According to court proceedings, Woolman approached the young girl as she was out delivering a Christmas card from her home. The girl, whose innocence was tragically exploited, encountered Woolman near her residence. He offered to accompany her on her journey home, citing the darkness as a reason for his offer. The court heard that the two took a shortcut near Milton Place, a route that Woolman used to carry out his assault. It was during this brief walk that Woolman committed the rape, an act that the court described as a grave violation of the young girl’s safety and trust.

Following the assault, Woolman showed what the court characterized as a disturbing lack of remorse. He hugged the girl and advised her not to tell anyone about what had transpired, an attempt to silence her and conceal his crime. The girl’s grandfather noticed her tearful state, but it was not until five days later that she confided in her aunt about the assault, revealing the emotional trauma inflicted upon her.

Woolman, who resides on King’s Road in Chelmsford, initially denied meeting the girl that night and later denied having any sexual contact with her. Despite his denials, the evidence presented during the trial led to his conviction. The prosecution, led by Amanda Rippon, emphasized the severity of the crime and the impact on the young victim.

In addition to the rape conviction, Woolman admitted to indecently assaulting a woman in Chelmsford. For this offense, he received a consecutive sentence of 30 months, adding to his overall imprisonment term. The court acknowledged Woolman’s denial of the rape but noted that he expressed genuine remorse for the indecent assault, which was taken into account during sentencing.

Gareth Hughes, representing Woolman, highlighted that his client suffers from a minor personality disorder, which he argued should be considered as a mitigating factor. Nonetheless, the court’s decision reflected the gravity of Woolman’s actions and the need for justice for the young girl and her family.