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15 year old sentenced for
rape in the Melling area
MERSEYSIDE Police have confirmed that
15 year old, Jake Hart, on Wednesday, 27 April 2016 was sentenced to 4˝ years
imprisonment, for the rape of a woman in Sefton in 2015. Hart was sentenced to 2
years for actual bodily harm, to be served concurrently. Hart will serve a
further 4 years on an extended licence, and will be a registered sex offender
for life.
The victim, a 20 year old woman, was attacked while walking on a canal towpath
near to Brewery Lane, Melling during the afternoon of Thursday, 10 December
2015. Hart was arrested the following day and later charged with rape and
assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Detective Inspector Terry Davies from Merseyside Police's specialist Unity team
said:- "We welcome today's sentence, which we hope will go some way to
giving the victim a sense of closure. Rape is a very personal crime, which can
have devastating effects on victims, and I would like to take this opportunity
to commend the victim for her bravery in coming forward and supporting the
investigation. There is no doubt that the impact on this young woman has been
significant, and will continue to be so as she rebuilds her life. Hart has been
sentenced, but his victim is facing a life sentence. She was living in Liverpool
and has since returned home to Austria, with her experience of this country
sadly tainted by this experience. She has shown great strength in supporting our
investigation throughout the last 4 months and it is testimony to her account
that we have been able to bring Hart to justice, and ensure that he is no longer
a danger to the public. Specially trained officers and lawyers in Merseyside
Police's Unity Team have supported her throughout the investigation and trial to
provide support and to ensure her evidence was presented to the court and to see
justice being done. I would like to take this opportunity to reassure anyone who
has suffered a sexual offence that if you too can find the courage to come
forward and speak to us, we will deal with you sensitively and make sure that
reports are properly and thoroughly investigated."
Anyone wishing to report a sexual offence can call officers in the force's
specialist Unity team on:- 0151 777 1382. Information can also be passed to
Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111.
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