March 2016

Man who raped 13-year-old girl at knifepoint jailed

A man has been jailed for six-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to the rape and indecent assault of a 13-year-old girl.

Adrian Barnett, 43, previously of Twerton, Bath, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Friday, March 18.

On an unspecified date, Barnett indecently assaulted and raped a 13-year-old girl at knifepoint, in the Melksham area.

Detective Chief Inspector Jeremy Carter, of the Brunel Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Adrian Barnett is a violent man who has shown no remorse for his actions.

“He abused his position of trust as a babysitter for an innocent 13-year-old girl. While he was supposedly looking after the young girl, he held a knife to her neck, and raped her.

“Understandably, this incident had a long lasting impact on the young victim who felt unable to give an account to police officers at the time.

“However, Wiltshire Police reviewed the case last year, and further enquiries were carried out. As a result of the re-investigation, the victim felt able to cooperate with police which has led to the successful prosecution of Barnett.”