John Chapman, a 52-year-old former soldier from Halesworth in Suffolk, was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court for committing sexual assaults against two teenage girls. The incidents occurred in 2019 and 2021, with Chapman exploiting the victims' vulnerability after they had become heavily intoxicated.
In the first assault in 2019, the victim, aged 17, had consumed so much alcohol that she struggled to walk. Chapman assisted her to lie down but then removed her tights and underwear before sexually touching her. The victim described herself as so shocked that she was 'effectively paralysed' during the attack. After Chapman left, she began to scream but was unable to articulate what had happened initially. She later reported the incident to the police, though she withdrew the allegation due to dissatisfaction with how she was treated by officers at the time. Chapman apologised to her afterwards, calling himself 'a monster', which confirmed to the victim that the experience was not a bad dream.
The second assault took place in 2021, involving another 17-year-old girl who had also become drunk and was lying on a sofa with a bucket. Chapman approached her, 'spooning' her from behind and sexually touching her under her clothing. Recorder Emma Nash, during sentencing, remarked, 'It appears you couldn’t resist the temptation that presented itself to you,' and added that the victim 'would give anything to make it not real. But it was the reality of the situation. You had done that to her.'
Chapman was found guilty in January following a trial. In a victim impact statement, the first girl stated that her life had been 'tainted' by Chapman, formerly of London Road, Halesworth, and previously of Mendlesham. She explained that she had isolated herself emotionally for a long time, preferring to feel nothing rather than the 'pain and hurt' caused by the assault. 'What John did to me will never go away,' she said.
Recorder Nash noted that Chapman showed little insight into his behaviour, despite his guilty pleas. Defence barrister Wayne Cleaver argued that Chapman had a positive side, citing character references and evidence of his service in Qatar, where he suffered from PTSD at the time of the offences. However, the judge imposed consecutive sentences of 17 months for each offence, totalling two years and 10 months in prison, of which Chapman is expected to serve half. He was also issued a restraining order banning contact with the victims and a 10-year sexual harm prevention order restricting his contact with females under 18.
Detective Constable Samuel Jones of Suffolk Constabulary, the investigating officer, described Chapman as 'a predator and a danger to women and girls', highlighting his 'callous disregard for his victims’ welfare' and refusal to accept responsibility.