Nothing moves quickly in today’s justice system

The women had waited years for this moment. As they filed into Court 4 in Telford, a TV screen that would once have been considered large was filled with a man that pleaded guilty to a number of offences, including rape.

A small figure now, beamed in from Shrewsbury Crown Court, Joshua Turner was about to be handed his sentence. Or so everyone thought.

The court was running behind. Nothing moves quickly in today’s justice system. The barristers and the judge discussed the case before eventually allowing the group of women who once shared their lives with this man in.

Turner appeared via video link dressed in a standard issue grey prison tracksuit.

The former tree surgeon and air conditioning engineer had admitted multiple offences including GBH and rape previously at Shrewsbury Crown Court and the victims, along with Turner, were present to hear the sentence.

After a reminder about press and reporting restrictions applying to the case, it quickly became apparent that this was not going the way we all expected.

A number of victims contacted Telford Live and waived their right to lifelong anonymity to share their story and to encourage any other victims to come forward. We have chosen not to publish their names.

For all the victims of Turner, the story was remarkably similar. Meeting at a time when they were feeling vulnerable, and ending up in an abusive relationship, physically, mentally and financially.

It wasn’t just the women he abused. The mother of one of the victims claims she had money stolen by Turner to feed his gambling.

One victim told Telford Live, “I met Josh in 2016. I was 18 years old—young, vulnerable, and easy to manipulate. He forced himself into my life quickly, and when I became pregnant soon after, he knew he had complete control over me.

“For the next two years, my life was abuse. Physical abuse. Verbal abuse. Emotional, financial, and sexual abuse. I lived in constant fear.

“I was isolated, worn down, and trapped. I did not believe there was a way out, and that is exactly how he wanted it.

“His behaviour was enabled & covered up by his parents, and when I tried to seek help from police, I was dismissed.

“I was told there wasn’t enough evidence. Like so many victims, I was left to survive what he was doing to me alone, I carried the shame of not being believed.”

In an effort to encourage other victims to come forward, she said “I know there are other women who have suffered at his hands and are still living with the consequences of what he did to them.

“To those: please I urge you to come forward. It is not too late. What happened to you matters, and it was not your fault.

“The damage this man has caused will stay with us for the rest of our lives, we will live with the affects of his abuse forever.”

In the courtroom, the defence, prosecution and the judge all agreed that due to remarks made by the trial judge, it would be appropriate for that judge to decide the sentence for Turner.

The judge apologised, agreeing that this is not what we all came here for today. A cry of “Five years” came from the group of victims. That’s how long they had waited for this moment.

With a number of diaries to consult and align, no date could be set today. Turner remains in prison, on remand, and the victims that attended today remain frustrated, having expected to see justice served.

Nothing moves quickly in today’s justice system.