Vile child rapist jailed for 38 years over string of horrific sex crimes
A vile County Durham rapist who sexually abused child victims has been jailed for 38 years.
Neville Jones groomed and subjected four children to horrific sexual abuse and ‘ruined’ their lives and the lives of their families. The 40-year-old targeted the vulnerable victims and ’caused immense harm’, the court heard.
Jones, of Spennymoor, has now been put behind bars for almost 40 years. He appeared at Durham Crown Court on Friday to be sentenced for one count of rape , two counts of assault by penetration, six counts of sexual assault, three counts of indecent assault, and five counts of sexual activity with a child.
Remorseless Jones, who appeared at the court via link from HMP Durham, denied the offences but was found guilty following a trial. He will now be on the sex offenders’ register for life and won’t face the possibility of parole until 22 years into his sentence.
The court was told Jones targeted one of his victims as he knew they would be a ‘good target for sexual abuse’ and used the child as a ‘sexual object’. Vile Jones also targeted another victim who he sexually abused, and gave them tablets which made them ‘sleepy’, the court heard.
Judge James Adkin said all of the victims’ lives had been ‘ruined’ as had the lives of their families. He said: ‘You ruined children’s lives and the lives of their families. You left a trail of utter misery in your wake…you targeted the vulnerable and caused immense harm.’
Chris Wood, defending, said he was ‘limited’ in his mitigation as Jones had been found guilty following a trial. He said: ‘He has made it clear he intends to make good use of his time in custody. Beyond that, I can’t say a great deal more.’
Jones was given a 38-year extended determinate prison sentence. He was also handed a lifetime sexual harm prevention order.
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