Darwen Horror: Man Jailed for Sex Attack on Teen Girl
A 39-year-old man has been locked up for a brutal sexual assault on a 16-year-old girl in Darwen. James White was sentenced to two and a half years in jail after attacking the teenager on the night of June 25, as she walked along Bolton Road around midnight.
Chilling Attack Caught on Phone
Lancashire Police revealed that White grabbed the girl from behind, covering her eyes and dragging her to the ground. He then sexually assaulted her while keeping his hands over her face. Despite the terrifying ordeal, the fearless victim struck White with her phone and managed to FaceTime her mother.
White tried to snatch the phone, but the call apparently scared him off. The victim even took two screenshots of White’s face during the call, which proved vital for the police investigation.
Swift Police Action Nabbed Offender
Using CCTV and tracking White’s white Mercedes A180, police arrested him the same day on Olive Lane, Darwen. He faced charges of sexual assault and actual bodily harm following a Crown Prosecution Service review.
White pleaded guilty in court and showed remorse. On August 9, he was sentenced to 30 months behind bars and ordered on the Sex Offenders Register for 15 years.
Police and CPS Praise Victim’s Bravery
DS Sarah Tucker of East CID hailed the victim’s courage and quick thinking, which led to White’s prompt arrest. She stressed Lancashire Police’s commitment to swiftly tackling offenders, even in rare cases like this.
Derek Artis, District Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West Rape Unit, praised the girl’s bravery. He underlined the urgent need to make public spaces safe for women and girls and vowed to relentlessly pursue justice against sexual offenders.
