Jason Wall, now 31, began the relationship in 2013 when he was 18 or 19 and the girl was just 13 years old. Norwich Crown Court heard that the s3xual activity continued until 2016 in the Thetford area.
The case only came to light in July 2023, when Wall, who was in hospital in Somerset receiving treatment for mental health difficulties, phoned police to admit what he had done. He told officers the offences had been “eating away” at him and that he had “not been dealt with” for his actions.
Wall, of Boyd Avenue, Dereham, pleaded guilty to engaging in penetrative s3xual activity as an adult with a child aged between 13 and 15.
Judge calls case “exceptional”
Sentencing him on Wednesday, Judge Andrew Shaw described the case as “exceptional”, saying:
“But for the fact you phoned police to report this matter, I’m sure it would never have come to the state’s attention.”
Taking into account Wall’s confession and mitigation, the judge imposed a two-year community order.
Mitigation and sentence
Andrew Oliver, defending, said Wall had endured a difficult upbringing, spending much of it in care, and continued to struggle with his mental health. He added that a decade had passed since the offending, with no further criminal record.
As part of his sentence, Wall must also complete 25 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) and has been placed on the s3x offenders’ register for five years.
