July 2013
Abuser, 82, jailed in his absence
A PENSIONER who fled the country while he was on bail after being convicted of sexually abusing a young girl has been jailed in his absence.
Eighty-two-year-old Kenneth Wright had denied two charges of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13 and two of sexual activity with a child.
But Wright, of Louth Road, Holton-le-Clay, was found guilty of all four charges following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court earlier this year.
Following his conviction, the case was adjourned for a report to be prepared by his doctor on his health and how he would cope with a prison sentence, given his age.
Despite facing a prison sentence, Wright was granted bail – and shortly afterwards he fled the country and is now believed to be in southern Europe. So, although no trace has been found of Wright since he fled, and it is not even known if he is still alive, the trial judge Mr Justice John Saunders decided to sentence him in his absence.
Now sitting at Warwick Crown Court, Mr Justice Saunders imposed an eight-year prison sentence on Wright and ordered him to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
He said Wright’s offences against the girl began when she was nine.
Wright came into contact with her on a number of occasions, and his abuse of her continued for some time.
“After the convictions I adjourned the case, allowing the defendant to consult his doctor to put a report before the court; and almost immediately after conviction the defendant appears to have left the country. But I do not pass a sentence to reflect the fact that he has breached his bail,” said Mr Justice Saunders, who pointed out that Wright will have to be dealt with for that if and when he is arrested.
Of the eight-year sentence, the judge added: “He is now aged 82. He is likely to find any sentence of imprisonment that much more difficult because of his age.”
The court heard that if Wright is arrested and begins to serve his sentence, if his health then begins to suffer drastically, there are provisions for the Home Secretary to intervene.
