47-year-old David Michael Wells Sentenced to 18 Years for Child Rape

David Michael Wells, of Chale Street in Chale Green, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison and an additional 4 years on license after being found guilty of raping a child on six occasions.

Wells was charged with six counts of rape following an investigation by Hampshire Constabulary that began in January 2020. The victim reported that she had been abused by Wells between 2017 and 2018 when she was under the age of 16.

Wells denied the charges and the case went to trial on April 25th at Newport Crown Court. On April 28th, after four-and-a-half hours of deliberation, the jury convicted him on all charges.

At the Isle of Wight Crown Court today, Wells was sentenced to 18 years in prison, with an additional 4 years on extended license. A lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and restraining order were also granted.

DC Daniel Hayward of the Child Abuse Investigation Team stated: "Wells is a danger to children who is now behind bars where he belongs. The child in this case should be commended for her bravery in standing up to her abuser and finding the courage to talk to police. It is because of this that Wells is now in a place where he cannot harm another child. I hope this case, and the bravery of the girl involved, encourage others who have been harmed by this kind of awful abuse to speak out and seek support."

An NSPCC spokesperson said: "Wells not only repeatedly abused a child, he then forced her to re-live that abuse in trial by denying his offenses. Childhood abuse can have devastating effects which can last a lifetime, but we hope this victim is now receiving all the support she needs and can take some solace knowing her bravery in speaking out has helped ensure Wells faces justice. We would urge anyone who has experienced abuse and is suffering, no matter when it happened or who the perpetrator is, to speak out and seek support."