Lincoln student and army cadet leader to be sentenced for numerous child sexual offences

Lincoln student and army cadet leader is to be sentenced for numerous child sexual offences.

22-year-old, David Thorne, will be sentenced on 13th June after he pleaded guilty to five rape charges on a child under the age of 13 and three offences of assault by penetration on the same child.

Thorne is from Cherry Willingham and attended universities in Hull and Huddersfield.

Lincoln Crown Court heard how the offences happened in December 2023. Thorne met his victim multiple times, picking them up from the Grantham area. He wore his army cadet uniform on one visit.

Thorne claimed the girl said she was 17, but this was dismissed by Judge Simon Hirst at a Newton hearing when he was remanded into custody. A Newton hearing is held when there is a dispute as to the factual basis on which sentencing should proceed.

In court, the girl gave evidence to dispute Thorne’s claims, saying she told him her real age and it was Thorne who claimed to be 17. The prosecution on the case, David Eager, showed the court photographs of the victim which he argued demonstrate she was under 17. There was “no hesitation” by Judge Hirst to accept the victim’s account of events.

The investigation into Thorne was led by Detective Constable Victoria Oakes who has praised the victim’s bravery.

At the end of the hearing, DC Oakes said: “I am in awe of the victim involved in this case. They have been immense.

“The bravery and courage they have displayed over the last year has been truly incredible and I hope that this result offers some sense of closure.

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“Thorne’s actions are reprehensible and completely unacceptable in our society. His victim was clearly underage, and he knew that.

“Instead, he chose to plead ignorance and I am glad that the judge dismissed his claims and will sentence him for his crimes in due course.

“I hope this sends a strong message to any would-be perpetrator that we will investigate to the fullest and pursue all lines of enquiry to secure justice for victims in Lincolnshire.”