March 2014
Paedophile who raped girl, 12, at canal boat festival jailed for seven years
A “predatory” paedophile who raped a 12-year-old girl after befriending her at a CANAL BOAT festival has been jailed for seven years.
James Bill, 29, attended the Braunston Boat Show, Northants., in June last year where he got talking to a mother and her daughter.
A court heard he then went for a walk in a nearby field with the youngster away from the crowds at the UK’s largest narrowboat rally.
After laying down on the ground to look at the trees Bill then viciously attacked and raped his defenceless victim.
Northampton Crown Court was told the girl initially did not tell her mother what had happened but confided in one of her friends at school.
Prosecutor Jonathan Eley said police then investigated the incident and DNA analysis of the girl’s underwear found a semen match that was a “one billion to one” match in favour of Bill.
During interview Bill gave “no comment” to all questions but pleaded guilty to a charge of raping a girl aged under 13 at an earlier hearing.
Last Friday Bill – who has a previous conviction for indecently assaulting three eight-year-old girls – was jailed for seven years.
Sentencing Judge Rupert Mayo said: “This was a gross mistrust against this girl.
“You are a dangerous and pose a significant risk of serious harm to children. I would describe this attack as predatory.”
Bill was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison and an extra three years and nine months on licence.
He will serve at least two thirds of his jail term.
