Convicted sex offender jailed for assaulting 13-year-old in Colchester nature reserve
Essex man sentenced following DNA-linked sexual assault
Last updated 4th Mar 2026
A convicted sex offender has been sentenced to 13 years in prison, with an additional eight years on extended licence, after sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in a Colchester nature reserve.
Dominic Boultwood, who had previously served a prison sentence for sexual assault, lured the girl to Bourne Valley Nature Reserve near Mersea Road on 9 May 2024.
There, he engaged her in a sexualised conversation before pulling her to the ground and assaulting her. During the attack, he repeatedly warned the girl not to tell anyone.
Despite being distressed, the girl left the scene and confided in a friend, who alerted Essex Police.
Detectives launched an immediate investigation, providing specialist support to the victim and gathering multiple pieces of evidence. DNA recovered from the girl’s clothing proved critical in linking Boultwood to the attack.
Boultwood was arrested on 15 May, and a search of his home uncovered cannabis.
During his first police interview, he denied any wrongdoing. When detectives presented the DNA evidence, his solicitor stopped the interview.
He later attempted to explain the DNA on the victim’s clothing by claiming he regularly slept and urinated in the area.
At the time of the assault, Boultwood was already subject to notification requirements and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order following a 2015 sexual assault conviction.
He stood trial at Ipswich Crown Court in March 2025, facing charges of sexual assault, assault by penetration, and making indecent images of children. Police had discovered sexualised images of children aged three to 13 on his mobile phone.
A jury convicted him on all counts.
At Woolwich Crown Court on 25 February, Boultwood was sentenced as a dangerous offender. He will serve 13 years in prison, with an additional eight years on extended licence. He will also remain subject to indefinite notification requirements, a renewed Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which will help deter and detect any future offending. A lifelong restraining order was also imposed to protect the victim.
Judge Levett said Boultwood had “manipulated a very young girl to fulfil his sexual desire” and added that places such as nature reserves should be spaces where children feel safe to walk without any sense of danger.
The mother of the victim, who must remain anonymous, said:
“Officers were amazing. I know these things are scary but the sooner you speak out the quicker police can get the person and hopefully, in time, give closure.
“It may take a while, but patience is important. These things may not affect you instantly, but they will long term.
“Everyone needs to speak out and everyone needs to feel safe so maybe we do need to see more of a presence in quiet, enclosed areas.”