WAYNE MILES FROM GUNNISLAKE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN REMOTE CORNISH LANE

In September 2011, a disturbing incident unfolded in the quiet, rural surroundings of Gunnislake, North Cornwall, where a 14-year-old girl was subjected to a sexual assault by a man who exploited her trust and the seclusion of an isolated country lane. The perpetrator, Wayne Jeffrey Miles, aged 33 and a resident of Fosters Meadow, St Ann’s Chapel, Gunnislake, was later brought to justice for his actions.

According to court records, Miles, who was described as a house husband at the time, lured the young girl into his vehicle under the pretense of taking her for a drive. Once on the deserted country road, he committed a sexual act against her will. The details of the abuse were read aloud during the court proceedings, revealing the gravity of the offense and the impact it had on the victim.

Following the assault, Miles instructed the girl to swear that she would not disclose what had transpired. Under the pressure of the frightening and confusing circumstances, she complied. However, once she was away from his influence, she confided in a relative, and subsequently, the authorities were informed. The court heard that the girl’s testimony and her victim impact statement painted a heartbreaking picture of the trauma inflicted upon her, emphasizing that her life had been profoundly affected by the incident.

Judge Christopher Elwen, presiding over the case, acknowledged that Miles was a first-time offender and had entered a guilty plea, which somewhat mitigated the severity of the sentence. Nonetheless, the judge emphasized that only a custodial sentence was appropriate given the nature of the crime and the manipulative tactics used to silence the victim. Judge Elwen stated, “This was a singularly unpleasant sexual attack on a teenage girl whom you drove down a deserted country lane. Afterward, you made her swear not to tell anybody. Under the extremely difficult and frightening circumstances she found herself in, she of course agreed. However, when she was free from you, she told a relative, and later others. I have read the heartrending victim impact statement and it is clear you have ruined this young girl’s life.”

In addition to the two-year prison sentence, Miles was ordered to be subject to a sex offenders prevention order and was required to register as a sex offender. These measures are intended to monitor and restrict his activities to prevent further harm.

During the sentencing, Miles showed no visible emotion and kept his gaze fixed on the ground as the details of his crime were disclosed. His defense attorney, Bathsheba Cassel, argued that Miles had accepted responsibility for his actions and that prior to this incident, he was of good character. She described the offense as an isolated lapse in an otherwise law-abiding life, emphasizing that Miles was a first-time offender and that this was a single, regrettable mistake.

Ultimately, the court’s decision reflected the seriousness of the crime and the need to protect vulnerable individuals from predatory behavior, especially in secluded rural areas like Gunnislake, where such incidents can have a lasting impact on the community and the victims involved.