Lewis Jones aged 24 of no fixed abode but from Liverpool, Merseyside, was today jailed for life after abducting the 6-year-old year from a field she was playing in with her cousins at the side of her sister’s house in Droylsden.
The court heard how in August last year the children spotted a man sat on a bench, which was situated right in front of where they had been playing making a ‘den’.
He watched them playing for approximately an hour, taking photographs of them whilst also on phone at various times.
He had removed his t-shirt at one point, which revealed a tattoo on his chest – an identifying factor noticed by one of the children and later recounted to the police.
He then approached the youngsters and asked them to help him collect sticks, before grabbing the young girl around the waist, putting his hand over her mouth and running away with her down the disused railway path, away from her cousins, who then went to raise the alarm with the family members.
Immediately, an area search began by the family with the child located a short time later. Police officers continued searching the area for the suspect, CCTV and public assistance helping to identify him leading to his arrest.
When reunited with her mother, it became apparent that she had been the victim of a sexual assault. She was was taken to St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre where she received specialist care and support was provided to her family.
Sentencing Jones to life imprisonment today, Her Honour Judge Manley referred to Jones as a dangerous individual who was highly likely to commit further, serious offences.
She further stated he would only be apply to first apply for parole in 2035, but he would only ever be released if he could prove to the Parole Board that he was safe to be out with the general public.
Detective Superintendent Gareth Jenkins said: “Firstly, we would like to thank the young victim and her family, who have shown considerable strength and bravery when seeing this prosecution through until sentencing today.
“As a team and a force, we are extremely pleased with today’s result, which has seen Jones, an abhorrent individual, removed from the streets for a considerable length of time.
“My officers acted quickly, securing identification of Jones who was a stranger to Tameside. This was only achieved by securing evidence of his approach and exit to the scene and I am very grateful to them and the officer in the case who worked tirelessly and under significant pressure to get this to where we are today.
“People like this should not be free to roam our streets and put our young population at risk – something GMP are committed to.
“If you have any information regarding any such crimes, we encourage you to get in touch with us. You will be believed and we will help you.
