David Wells 49

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47-year-old David Michael Wells will spend 18 years behind bars and another 4 years on licence after being found guilty of raping a child on no less than 6 occasions.

Wells, of Chale Street in Chale Green, was charged with 6 counts of rape following a lengthy police investigation which began in January 2020. Hampshire Constabulary launched the investigation after the victim reported she had been abused by Wells between 2017 and 2018 when she was under the age of 16.

Wells denied the offences and the case went to trial on 25th April this year at Newport Crown Court. On 28th April, after 4-and-a-half hours of deliberation, the jury convicted him of the charges.

Appearing at the Isle of Wight Crown Court this morning, Wells was jailed for 18 years, with 4 additional years on extended license. A lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and restraining order were also granted.

DC Daniel Hayward, of the Child Abuse Investigation Team, has said:

Wells is a danger to children who is now behind bars where he belongs.

The child in this case should be commended for her bravery in standing up to her abuser and finding the courage to talk to police.

It is because of this that Wells is now in a place where he cannot harm another child. I hope this case, and the bravery of the girl involved, encourage others who have been harmed by this kind of awful abuse to speak out and seek support.

An NSPCC spokesperson has today said:

Wells not only repeatedly abused a child, he then forced her to re-live that abuse in trial by denying his offences.

Childhood abuse can have devastating effects which can last a lifetime, but we hope this victim is now receiving all the support she needs and can take some solace knowing her bravery in speaking out has helped ensure Wells faces justice. We would urge anyone who has experienced abuse and is suffering, no matter when it happened or who the perpetrator is, to speak out and seek support.