AN ‘UTTERLY wicked’ Long Lawford man who raped and indecently assaulted vulnerable teenagers who lived at two Daventry charity homes where he worked in the 1990s has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Adrian Mark Westley, 56 – who is known as Mark – of Long Lawford, Rugby, received five 15-year sentences, to be served concurrently, for nine charges including multiple rapes and indecent assaults after a 10-day trial at Northampton Crown Court on Friday (January 18).
He was acquitted of four further counts of indecent assault.
The offences included multiple rapes and indecent assaults which took place between 1994 and 1995 at the Post House and Move On House, where Westley was then deputy manager.
The homes provided accommodation and support for children coming out of social care from the age of 15, as well as homeless people dealing with issues such as drug or alcohol abuse.
Investigations into Westley began in August 2016, when a woman contacted Northamptonshire Police to report she had been regularly raped and sexually assaulted by Westley while living at the Post House in 1994-1995, when she was 17 to 18 years old.
The subsequent investigation identified a second victim who also disclosed being raped by Westley as a teenager.
At his trial at Northampton Crown Court, Westley denied 13 charges against him. Jurors heard from both victims, as well as witnesses including fellow residents, a former manager who detailed an internal investigation into Westley’s actions, and counsellors who helped one of the victims.
Following the guilty verdict, the prosecution read from victims’ personal statements which revealed how Westley’s abuse of the two women had led to a lifetime of physical and psychological suffering.
Passing sentence, Judge Marcus Tregilgas-Davey said both victims were troubled and vulnerable and should have felt safe and secure in the home, branding Westley’s actions ‘utterly wicked’.
Speaking after the hearing, investigating officer Det Insp Simon Barnes of Northamptonshire Police said: “I would like to praise the courage of each victim and other residents of the Post House who provided evidence in this investigation.
“Mr Westley maintained his innocence throughout the investigation and trial, forcing each witness to attend court and give their account. I do not underestimate the personal strength and resilience this required from all those that gave evidence. Without their evidence, this verdict would not have been possible.
“Some may think that 24 years is a barrier to a successful investigation and prosecution – it is not. I would like to encourage any victims of crime, recent or not, to report it to the police. Not only can we provide you with support through partner agencies, but as this case shows, we can bring offenders to justice.”
Victims of this type of crime are encouraged to report it to police on 101. Visit www.voicenorthants.org or call 0300 303 1965 to access the Voice service, which provides support for victims and witnesses regardless of whether a report has been made to police.
