Hi and welcome to this JK News Report:
A man who raped a vulnerable girl in Nottingham has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after his crimes were exposed by the victim.
Winston Virtue, 64, exploited the girl by providing drugs and alcohol before assaulting her at a residence in 2022. She disclosed the attack to someone a few days later, leading to Virtue’s arrest and subsequent charges.
Despite denying the allegations and claiming he had no sexual contact with the victim, Virtue was found guilty following a two-and-a-half-week trial last November. Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on October 31, Virtue, of Rushworth Close, St Ann’s, received his sentence and was made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. He will also be required to register as a sex offender for life.
Detective Sergeant Julie Salisbury from Nottinghamshire Police’s Child at Risk of Exploitation Team praised the victim’s bravery in coming forward, along with the courage shown by witnesses, which was crucial to securing the conviction.
“Their courage was essential in exposing Virtue’s despicable actions and ensuring he faces the consequences,” said DS Salisbury. “Virtue’s lies prolonged the trial, forcing the victim and others to relive traumatic memories, but their resilience led to justice being served.”
ACCESS TO THE LAW: Understanding the Crime and Sentencing
As part of our campaign to improve citizens’ access and understanding of UK criminal law, we will be explaining the relevant UK legislation and case law associated with articles we publish.
In this case, Winston Virtue’s conviction for sexual offenses against an underage girl underscores the legal framework around child exploitation and sexual activity with minors in the UK. This area of law is primarily governed by the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which sets strict guidelines to protect children from exploitation and abuse.
Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, it is illegal for any adult to engage in sexual activity with a person under 16, regardless of apparent consent, as minors are legally deemed incapable of giving informed consent. In situations where an adult actively seeks to build trust or manipulate a minor—commonly referred to as “grooming”—the law treats these actions as aggravating factors that can lead to harsher penalties.
Virtue’s actions involved grooming, a crime in which an adult deliberately forms an emotional connection with a minor to lower their resistance to abuse. The law considers grooming, particularly when followed by sexual activity, as a serious offense because of the significant harm it inflicts on young, vulnerable victims. Courts often impose stricter sentences for such cases to reflect the manipulative nature of the crime and the deliberate exploitation involved.
In addition to his prison sentence, Virtue was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which places restrictions on his interactions, internet access, and contact with minors to mitigate the risk of reoffending. Virtue will also be required to register as a sex offender for life, meaning he will be subject to regular monitoring even after his release.
This case highlights the severe consequences under UK law for adults who exploit children and reinforces the judicial system’s commitment to protecting young people from abuse. The combined use of custodial sentences, SHPOs, and lifetime sex offender registration aims to ensure that offenders face substantial legal consequences and the public is protected.
Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.
Jason King
Birmingham City-Desk
Twitter (X) @JasonKingNews
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