Child rapist given extended 18 year sentence

A man convicted of multiple child sex offences, including rape, has been given an extended sentence of 18 years.

Jason Yongblah, aged 56, formerly of Weedon Close, Northampton, began abusing the girl when she was just 12 years old.

His offending escalated from sexual touching to rape, and also saw him send the girl multiple inappropriate text messages.

These proved to be his undoing after a relative of the girl saw one by chance, leading to a report to Northamptonshire Police.

The Force’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) went on to uncover the scope of Yongblah’s crimes, and he was charged with 19 offences, including rape and repeated sexual assaults.

After admitting one count of sexual communication with a child and three counts of making indecent images of a child, Yongblah went on trial on the rest of the charges, with the jury finding him guilty on all counts on October 8.

On Friday, January 24, Yongblah appeared at Northampton Crown Court where he was given an extended sentence – used for criminals convicted of specific offences who are deemed to be dangerous – made up of a total of 17 years’ imprisonment and a further one year on licence.

He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, designed to prevent further offending once he is released.

Speaking afterwards, investigating officer Detective Constable Kirstie Brooks, of CAIU, said: “Jason Yongblah is a sexual predator who is now behind bars where he belongs, unable to harm anyone else.

“The survivor has been incredibly brave, from coming forward to tell us what Yongblah did to her, to seeing the case through to trial and his conviction.

“Her courage and resilience have seen her reclaim the power Yongblah thought he had over her, and I hope that seeing her abuser brought to account and jailed helps her continue to heal and thrive.

“People like Jason Yongblah have no place in our communities, and as this case demonstrates, we are dedicated to protecting children and bringing those who harm them to justice.”

*This report and custody image have been released with the support of the survivor, who has a legal right to lifelong anonymity, and her family.*

If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, whether recent or non-recent, please come forward by calling 101 or via the online reporting tool at www.northants.police.uk/RO. We will believe you.

If you have been a victim of rape or sexual abuse, but are not yet ready to speak to the police, please visit www.nhft.nhs.uk/serenity or call Serenity on 01604 601713.

Serenity provides free, confidential 24/7 support.

You can also visit www.voicenorthants.org or call Voice on 0300 303 1965.

Voice is a support service for anyone living in Northamptonshire, regardless of when, where or how crime happened to you. Services are free, confidential and you don’t have to have reported anything to the police.

Yongblah was convicted of:

• one count of rape of a child under 13
• three counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
• seven counts of sexually assaulting a child under 13
• three counts of sexual assaulting a child under 13 by penetration
• one count of taking an indecent photograph of a child

He had previously admitted:

• one count of sexual communication with a child
• three counts of making indecent images of a child