Jason Vincent Longhurst

Jason Vincent Longhurst, residing on Lindsey Avenue in York, committed a horrific sexual assault against a teenage girl over a decade ago. The incident occurred when the victim was staying as a guest in his family home. Longhurst entered the bedroom where she was sleeping, made threats towards her, and then strangled her with a jumper until she lost consciousness, before raping her.

The attack had a profound and lasting impact on the victim, robbing her of her dignity and disrupting her teenage years. In a personal statement read out at York Crown Court, the victim described the ordeal as horrendous, detailing how it affected her into adulthood. She explained that only after receiving counselling and support in the intervening years did she feel strong enough to report the crime to North Yorkshire Police.

Longhurst was charged with rape and appeared before York Crown Court. Despite the compelling evidence presented, he pleaded not guilty during his interview, claiming disgust at the allegations. On Wednesday, 8 September 2021, he was convicted in absentia and sentenced to nine years' imprisonment. However, Longhurst failed to attend the sentencing hearing and subsequently went on the run, prompting an urgent manhunt by North Yorkshire Police.

Investigating officer Sergeant Hannah McPeake described Longhurst as a 'sickening predator' who preyed on a young girl who should have been safe in his home. She commended the victim's bravery in coming forward after so many years and emphasised that the force takes all reports of sexual assault seriously, regardless of when they occurred. The public has been urged to report any sightings of Longhurst to North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference 12190208646.

This case, reported by YorkMix on 10 September 2021, highlights the long-term effects of sexual violence and the importance of support for survivors to seek justice.