Paedophile Fatally Hit by Train Hours Before Trial
A convicted paedophile was struck and killed by a train on the day he was due to face trial for raping a child. Mark Jones, 51, was hit at Halewood station in Merseyside early on Monday morning, just hours before he was due in court.
Jones Pleaded Guilty to Indecent Assault
Jones, from Widnes, Cheshire, admitted to two counts of indecent assault against a young girl dating back to the late 1980s, when he was a teenager. He confessed to touching the girl’s genitalia and forcing her to perform a sex act on him.
However, Jones denied two charges of rape and eight other serious indecent assault accusations involving the same victim.
Death Not Treated as Suspicious
Emergency services were called to Halewood station at 7:41am after reports of a person on the tracks. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene. British Transport Police confirmed the death is not being treated as suspicious and that a file will be prepared for the coroner.
Trial Cancelled After Death
Jones’s victim had already endured the trauma of reliving her ordeal during a pre-recorded video cross-examination by defence lawyers. The prosecution informed Liverpool Crown Court that Jones died that morning.
The case has now been adjourned to September 28, when the charges will be formally dropped and the proceedings terminated.
