Whitnash man jailed for historical rape charges after original sentence overturned

Jonathan Rouse, 49, of Tachbrook Road, was originally convicted of five counts of historical sexual offences and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, which was suspended for two years last November.

But, after the ruling on Tuesday, he will now have to spend three years in jail and was ordered to surrender to a police station by the end of the day.

Solicitor General Robert Buckland QC MP personally appeared in court to argue the case that the original sentence, which was handed down at Warwick Crown Court in November last year, was unduly lenient.

Speaking after Tuesday’s hearing, the Solicitor General said: “Sentencing in historical cases is not a straightforward process, but my view was that a suspended sentence for these offences was unduly lenient.

“I am glad the Court has imposed an immediate custodial sentence, and I hope that this increase encourages other victims of historical crimes to come forward.”

Rouse’s offences were committed when he was just 14 years old.

He preyed on the innocence of two particularly vulnerable young girls - one of whom he raped and the other which he subjected to four indecent assaults - two of which would today be classed as oral rape.

Other young boys had been with him when he attacked once of the girls, laughing as he abused her.

The offences only came to light when the victims spoke to police many years later.

Rouse claimed he had done nothing wrong, suggesting that the allegations had been fabricated.

Sentencing him last year, a Warwick Crown Court judge took particular account of the fact that Rouse had been very young himself at the time when he committed the offences.