Sussex Man Locked Up for Raping Young Girl in Wolverhampton
Dane Bartholomew from Sussex has been slammed with a 12-year-and-four-month prison sentence after being found guilty of raping a young girl in Wolverhampton. The nightmare was exposed thanks to the victim’s bravery in coming forward to her family, triggering a full police probe.
Victim’s Brave Testimony Paves Way for Justice
The courageous victim told her family about the abuse, who quickly informed the authorities. Supported by specially trained officers, she gave a detailed account of the horrific ordeal. Police also discovered disturbing images on Bartholomew’s phone, strengthening the case against him.
Guilty Plea Shocks Court, Locks Him Up
Bartholomew stunned the courtroom by switching to a guilty plea on day one of his trial. With the victim’s testimony and damning images on the phone as evidence, the judge convicted him of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault on a girl under 13.
Long Prison Sentence and Lifelong Restrictions
Besides the lengthy jail term, Bartholomew was slapped with a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. This restricts his movements to protect others from further harm. He’ll also be on the Sex Offender Register for life, ensuring law enforcement keeps a close eye on him.
Police Praise Victim’s Resilience
“This young girl had the courage to speak up to her family about what was happening,” said DC James Cox from West Midlands Police’s Child Protection Unit. “Our teams supported her and her family through the court process, resulting in Bartholomew’s significant incarceration.”
