Search results for Swindon

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A former teaching assistant from Swindon has been sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court today - 21 June - after being found guilty of the rape of a minor.

Sam Powers, 28, had earlier pleaded guilty to an additional 44 counts of sexual offences against children.

He was given a 20-year custodial sentence, four years of which will be served on licence.

In addition, Powers was placed on the Sex Offenders Register and issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for a minimum of 25 years.

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A flasher who told police he was 'living out a fantasy' by exposing himself at a block of flats in Swindon has been sentenced. 

Police were called to Hinton Street on April 26 after receiving an anonymous report that a male who lived at the flat had been seen outside the entrance to the property naked and showing his genitals.

After another call was made that evening, this time describing the same man standing near  where the bins of the Gorse Hill building were stored and exposing himself, officers found the suspect naked from the waist down before placing him under arrest. 

Enrico Rippa, a 60-year-old former Nationwide employee, appeared before Swindon Magistrates Court on June 17 for sentencing having previously pleaded guilty to one count of exposure.

Prosecuting Keith Ballinger said: "He was described as acting very oddly and was wearing a jacket/cardigan that he wore open on his chest.

"He undid his trousers and exposed himself, making a strange face and moving his hips and he did this for a number of minutes."

In his police interview, Rippa admitted to exposing himself but added it 'was not to anything specific'. 

He told officers that it was a fantasy of his to get caught and that he was heavily intoxicated at the time. 

The court heard that Rippa had previously been convicted of sex offences, with the last conviction in 1996 for which he was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely. 

In his defence, Miss Hollier explained that he had lost his job at Nationwide as a result of the ongoing court case and was know working part-time doing IT support and bookkeeping. 

Magistrates told him: “Clearly you know this is a serious offence that would’ve had an impact on everyone, everyone who lives in those flats will know what had happened, and everyone will have been affected.

"If that was where I lived, I’d be frightened to go out the back and come across you."

He was given a 24-month community order to do everything the probation service asks, including  20 rehab activity sessions, 31 sessions of the Horizon programme, and 90 hours of unpaid work

"Use this to address your behaviour and learn how to prevent reoffending," magistrates added. 

He must also re-register as a sex offender at a nearby police station within three days of sentencing. 

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A Swindon man has been jailed for having sex with teen girl he ’emotionally blackmailed’.

35-year-old Jason Iles pleaded guilty to eight offences – including three counts of sexual activity with a child and making twelve indecent images of a child.

Prosecutor David Scutt told Swindon Crown Court on Wednesday (1 May) that the defendant initially sent “inappropriate messages”, some complimenting the girl’s body.

But things developed when Iles met his victim in person, plying her with “lots” of alcohol in order to carry out his offending. On the very first occasion he groped her breasts before putting his hands into her trousers, digitally penetrating her.

Mr Scutt said the victim had “never done anything like this before, she was confused and did not know what to do”. The sexual activity “quickly progressed” to oral sex and later full sexual intercourse – in which she lost her virginity.

He added: “The defendant told her that he wanted to be her first. He showered her with compliments, told her he loved her all the time.”

During one incident, Iles spoke to the girl about rough sex and put his hands on her neck. She resisted, but the defendant held her arms down and carried on having sex with her until he ejaculated.

In a video-recorded interview, she said sexual intercourse happened on many occasions and in several locations around Swindon, and usually involved her being given alcohol.

Over the course of six months, when the offending took place, he told his victim that she couldn’t tell anyone – stating he would go to prison and lose his children if she did.

He also threatened to kill himself if she told anyone, telling her that it would be her word against his and that nobody would believe her.

In a bid to gather evidence against Iles, the victim “went to the trouble of inventing a fictitious friend called Lily Orchard”. He contacted her “enthusiastically” hoping to arrange a threesome.

The defendant also solicited indecent images of his victim. When police examined his mobile phone, they found nine photos of her stored within a password-protected app.

Iles was also found to have sent a video of his penis to the victim. An extreme pornographic video, depicting a person having intercourse with a dog, was also located.

Judge Jason Taylor KC said Iles had “variously cajoled, emotionally blackmailed and threatened her on the importance of keeping quiet”.

He continued: “She told the police that most of the time she was unwilling to have sex, but she was frightened of the consequences and emotionally torn.

“She can now see you twisted her, again, her words.

“But it’s clear from her comments…that she still placed blame on herself. There was absolutely no need for her to do that. That’s something she needs to hear and understand.

“You were the adult. You singularly and remorselessly prioritised your sexual gratification over her welfare.”

Judge Taylor handed down a 14-year prison sentence, for which he will serve two thirds behind bars before he is released on licence.

The takeaway delivery driver, of Kemerton Walk, Park South, was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, alongside a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He was also slapped with an indefinite restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim.

The defendant was sentenced following guilty pleas to three counts sexual activity with a child involving penetration, three counts of making indecent images of a child, possession of an extreme pornographic image and sending a grossly offensive or of an indecent image by means of a public electronic communications network.

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A sex offender from Swindon has been jailed for eight years for rape and four other offences against a teenage girl.

Aaron Lee Alan Ferris Roberts, 33, of no fixed abode, Swindon, committed the offences in Cornwall between May and September 2020.

He was found guilty by a jury after a two-day trial in December 2023.

During the trial the court heard that in May 2021 the victim disclosed to family what Roberts had done to her and it was reported to police.

Detectives began their investigation, and they heard that Roberts had sent the victim inappropriate images of himself via social media.

He had also forced her to commit sexual acts on him and forced himself on her before raping her.

Officers recovered messages sent by Roberts to the victim where he said: ‘have to do it again one day’, which was said to relate to the sexual acts. He also suggested they should delete the messages.

When he was arrested and interviewed by officers in November 2021, Roberts repeatedly denied all of the allegations saying: “I’m telling you now, I wouldn’t do any of that.”

Roberts pleaded not guilty to the offences but after a short deliberation, the jury found him unanimously guilty of rape, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual activity with a child, attempted rape and sexual communication with a child.

Roberts appeared in the dock at Truro Crown Court on April 18 where HHJ Judge Robert Linford sentenced him to eight years in prison. He will also sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Investigating officer, DC Distin said: “I would like to take this opportunity to commend the victim for her bravery and immense courage in coming forward to police to report this crime.

“Nothing will take away the trauma that she has been through, but we hope that some reassurance can be offered in knowing that supporting a prosecution has brought this man to justice.

“We truly hope that this outcome gives other victims the strength to come forward and report incidents of rape and sexual assault to police and reassures them that we have mechanisms in place to help support victims throughout the process”.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Andy Shortern said: “We welcome today’s sentence, I would like to thank the victim for reporting to us and supporting the investigation. This result would not have been possible without the victim’s courage.”

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A man from Swindon has been given an 18 years custodial sentence raping a woman after pretending to be a taxi driver.

Fareed Tariq, 43, of Barnum Court, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court today (03/04) after being found guilty by trial in February.

On Friday April 14, 2023 the victim was out in Swindon town centre with friends. She called a taxi company at around 3.15am on Saturday morning. A vehicle was sent but she was not picked up. She then got into Tariq’s vehicle, who drove her to a quiet area in Pinehurst and assaulted her.

Tariq was sentenced to 13 years in custody, of which he will serve a minimum of nine years. His sentence was extended by another five years on licence, has been put on the sex offenders register for life and has been given a restraining order from the victim for life.

James Purcell, Major Crime Team Investigator said: "This was a horrendous incident, where Tariq pretended to be a taxi driver and picked up a vulnerable woman after a night out. He took her to a quiet area and raped her before picking up her son from her friend's house.

"I'd like to thank the victim for her incredible bravery through reporting the incident and through what must have been a really difficult trial, reliving a traumatic experience. Without her continued assistance, the outcome would not have been possible.

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A Swindon ‘monster’ who filmed his rape of an unconscious woman has been jailed.

Carl Wallis, without consent, had sexual intercourse with his victim – who had passed out – in 2016.

The 38-year-old, of Brookdene, Haydon Wick, was only caught because he filmed the rape, and that footage was found on an old mobile phone six years later.

The victim contacted the police and following charge, Wallis pleaded not guilty to the offence.

At a three-day trial in December 2023, he was found guilty and returned to Swindon Crown Court for sentencing this morning (Friday).

Wallis was jailed for ten years and six months. He was also ordered to register has a sex offender for life, and a restraining order was made to prevent future contact with his victim.

In a victim personal statement, the victim said: “The day I found the video and pictures on the mobile phone… I was in total shock.

“I did not know what to think or feel, I felt completely numb. I could not believe what I had just seen I felt sick.

“I feel dirty and humiliated… I will never be free from the monster.”

DC Anna McCormack, the investigating officer, said: “Every sexual assault has a huge impact on victims. In this incident the victim discovered the offence had taken place when she was at her most vulnerable; asleep, and by someone she trusted.

“I’d like to thank her for her incredible bravery by reporting the offence and giving evidence during this trial. Without her continued assistance, the outcome would not have been possible.

“I’d encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault to please report it, do not suffer alone. We understand it can be difficult. You might not be completely sure what happened or how to talk about it.

“Our trained officers and partner organisations are here to listen and work together to support you in any way we can. Importantly, your information could help us bring the offender to justice and make sure you, and other people in a similar situation, are kept safe.”

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A man from Swindon has pleaded guilty to being a ‘Global Moderator’ on a dark website dedicated to the sharing of child sexual abuse content.

Saunders Custody ImageBrett Saunders, 50, came to the attention of the National Crime Agency as part of an investigation into the hidden site, which had over 2,000 members and is only accessible using Tor.

The NCA focused on a moderator with the username ‘Wetty’, who was heavily involved in running the site. Wetty took responsibility for enforcing the site’s rules and responding to user enquiries, providing advice around personal security and how to evade law enforcement detection.

Saunders was identified as the man behind the account and further enquiries revealed he had previous convictions relating to the sexual exploitation of children.

NCA officers arrested Saunders at his home in Freshbrook in August 2022. A number of his devices were seized, including his laptop which he had hidden under a sofa cushion, and a phone and hard drive found by special search officers concealed in an air vent.

The website was open on his laptop and Saunders was logged into his account. When interviewed, he confirmed to officers that he held the rank of Global Moderator and had himself uploaded indecent images of children to the site.

He also admitted he had a sexual interest in children, particularly girls aged 8-12.

Investigators recovered data relating to his account, including over 3,000 posts made by him and private messages he sent to other users, which evidenced that his contribution was key to ensuring the site continued to function.

These also made it clear that Saunders had quickly risen through the ranks due to his commitment and encouragement of others to discuss and distribute images and videos of child sexual abuse.

When congratulated by another user on his promotion to Global Moderator he said:

“Thank you… I must say it came as a bit of a shock to me! Not sure what I did to deserve the honor, but whatever it was I will try to keep doing it to the best of my abilities!”

The site was run on a points-based system where users gained ‘reputation points’ for adhering to the rules and sharing abuse material. It had an initial guest portal, where new users had to gain at least 10 reputation points before they were admitted entry to the main site.

Saunders was in charge of running the guest portal and was responsible for issuing or deducting reputation points, as well as ultimately deciding who would be allowed through.

Saunders uploaded a total of 115 images and videos of abuse to the site. He posted two such images of a young girl as part of a discussion around the legalisation of pre-teen marriage, along with the caption:

“If only it were possible. I would wish for it if I found a magic lamp….and for her to stay about this age (10-12) forever (and me my age)!!”

A further 65,000 files relating to indecent images of children were recovered from his devices.

In the days after his arrest, Saunders was charged by Wiltshire Police for breaching the sexual harm prevention order that had been placed on him by the force when he was released from prison for his previous offending.

He was remanded in custody and later sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for the breach.

Last year, he was charged with a further nine counts, including arranging/facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child under 13, participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, distributing and making indecent images of children in categories A-C, and possessing a prohibited image of a child.

On Friday (19 January) at Swindon Magistrates Court he pleaded guilty to all nine counts. He will be sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on 5 March 2024.

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A Swindon man molested a teenage boy while managing a restaurant.

61-year-old Carl Brown was running Jack’s, in Victoria Road, Old Town, when he sexually assaulted the youngster at the establishment in 2022.

The defendant was found guilty at his trial at Swindon Magistrates’ Court in September 2023, before returning for sentencing on 4 January this year.

At a previous hearing, prosecutor Asha Seenauth said he grabbed the boy’s penis and put his finger into his bottom over his clothing.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order, which includes 30 rehabilitation activity days and 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was told to pay £300 compensation to the victim, and pay £620 costs and a £95 surcharge.

Brown, of Highworth Road, must register as a sex offender for five years.

Description

A predatory offender has been jailed for life with a minimum of 10 years after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a seven-year-old girl.

Steven Cozens, 42, of Swindon, initially pleaded not guilty to sexual assault of a child under 13, causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, possession or making indecent images of children and possession or making of prohibited images.

During the trial, Cozens changed his plea to guilty.

In a hearing at Swindon Crown Court on December 8, Cozens was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 10 years.

He is also subject to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) indefinitely.

The court heard how in July 2021, the victim’s grandmother – who knew of the defendant – arrived home one day to find Cozens working in her garden unsolicited.

Cozens then took advantage of the grandmother and ingratiated himself with her, visiting the house regularly.

He was occasionally left alone with the victim which is when the abuse took place.

After the victim, now aged 10, bravely disclosed details about the abuse, her grandmother submitted a Sarah’s Law (Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme) request to Wiltshire Police, which allows the police to share information about sex offenders.

She was then contacted by officers from the Force and Cozens was arrested the following day.

Investigating officer Robert Sweeney said: “These are horrific crimes committed by Cozens when he was trusted by the victim’s grandmother.

“Despite the overwhelming evidence discovered on his phone, Cozens initially pleaded not guilty which forced the young victim to be put through the trauma of a trial.

“Thankfully he has then changed his plea, but not before the young victim was required to give evidence herself.

“I would like to commend her for the bravery she has shown right from the beginning of this traumatic ordeal.

“I am pleased Cozens has been given a life sentence which reflects the awful nature of his crimes.

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A man told two ‘young girls’ to tie their feet together during sex chats.

29-year-old David Holberry was arrested after a paedophile hunting group conducted a ‘sting’ in Salisbury back in 2021.

At Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (5 October), he pleaded guilty to two charges of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Pauline Lambert, prosecuting, said that the defendant had been speaking to fake profiles set up by the paedophile hunters – who he believed were young girls, under the age of 16.

During the sexualised conversations, he told both ‘girls’ to bind their feet and put socks in their mouth.

Duty solicitor Liz Highams told the court that was was “concerned about Mr Holberry’s mental health”, but confirmed that understands proceedings and has capacity.

The defendant, of Whitworth Road, Swindon, was told to register as a sex offender at Gablecross Police Station within 72 hours.

Magistrates ordered a pre-sentence report and adjourned the case until 27 November. He was released on unconditional bail.

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A McDonald’s supervisor ‘grabbed and squished’ the breasts of the young trainee, a court heard.

Shift boss Geary Fernandes sexually assaulted the teenage girl in a freezer at one of the fast food chain’s restaurants in Swindon in December last year.

The 34-year-old, of Warneford Close, Toothill, denied the offence and claimed it was an accident – but was convicted at trial on 10 August.

At Swindon Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday), prosecutor Tom Power said that the girl turned around after she felt hands on her waist.

Now facing Fernandes, “her breasts were grabbed and squished by the defendant”.

He asked the victim to stay and work additional hours, but she refused. When her mother arrived to collect her from work, she disclosed the assault.

Mr Power said that since the incident, the girl has suffered with anxiety at night, is insecure and struggles to stand near boys.

The court heard that the father-of-one – who is assessed as a medium risk of sexual reoffending – is expecting his second child in December, and is also a step-father to two other children.

Emma Hillier, defending, said that her client is unemployed as a result of his conviction – claiming benefits as his pregnant partner works a low-paid part-time job “to get by”.

She encouraged the magistrates to impose a community order or suspended sentence because the “impact [of immediate custody] would be massive”.

Ms Hillier said Fernandes is hoping to get back into work and he is exploring his options with the probation service. She said his operations are limited as a sex offender.

Whilst the defendant maintains his innocence, his lawyer said that he “accepts he was found guilty of this offence” and has “struggled to come to terms with it”.

Ms Hillier said that his partner and the father of his step-children are aware of his crime.

She said that Fernandes has no family or support in this country and his family live in Goa.

Magistrates imposed a 20-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months and must complete 40 rehabilitation activity days. He was told to pay £620 costs and a £154 surcharge.

Fernandes will remain as a registered sex offender for seven years. On 9 October, the same court will consider whether or not to impose a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

In a statement released following his conviction at trial, Wiltshire Police investigator Tina Willison said: “I want to commend the victim for coming forward and speaking to us about this incident, and for then speaking about it in court.

“She has shown remarkable bravery and I’m pleased it has resulted in a guilty verdict for Fernandes today.

“Fernandes clearly took advantage of his position as supervisor of the branch, abusing his position of trust by preying on a new member of staff.

“He waited until they were alone in the freezer section and sexually assaulted her, before lying to defend himself, claiming the contact wasn’t deliberate.

“We will always take reports like these seriously and victims will always be listened to.

“If you have a been a victim of a rape or sexual assault, please get in touch with us on 101. In an emergency, call 999.”

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A man from Swindon has been found guilty of multiple counts of raping a young girl during a "horrific" and "traumatic ordeal". Matthew Vandross, 30, of Homington Avenue, was found guilty by a jury following a five-date trial at Salisbury Crown Court of raping a child under the age of 13 four times.

The offences took place between October 2020 and May 2021 and Wiltshire Police said the victim was under 10 years old when she reported the incidents to the police, accompanied by a friend who had seen what she had been through. Detective Constable Mel Neal, from the Child Abuse Investigation Team, said Vandross had abused the victim in the "worst and most horrific way".

DC Neal added a personal tribute to the two children involved for "extreme bravery and courage beyond their years", despite their ordeal. "Working within the Child Abuse Investigation Team, we come to work every day to protect people like these two girls and secure some form of justice for them," she added.

Vandross is due to be sentenced on November 15. He was found guilty of sexual assault by touching, 21 counts of digital penetration and four charges of rape of a child under 13.

DC Neal said: "Since the beginning of this investigation, we have worked closely with partner agencies to ensure the victims in this case received the appropriate support and safeguarding they required. This predatory offender took advantage of a vulnerable child and abused her in the worst and most horrific way. Not only that, but he made horrific threats towards her if she dared report his offending to police.

"I would like to personally pay tribute to the two children involved in this case – it is thanks to their bravery that we secured a successful prosecution. Both girls have shown extreme bravery and courage beyond their years, despite enduring such a traumatic ordeal. Working within the Child Abuse Investigation Team, we come to work every day to protect people like these two girls and secure some form of justice for them.

"I would urge anyone who has been a victim of sex abuse to report it to police – no matter how much time has passed since the offences took place. We are committed to targeting dangerous offenders like Vandross and will do everything we can to ensure they are put before the courts."

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A Swindon man secretly filmed a woman naked – leaving his victim fearful, a court heard.

50-year-old Mark Bowyer was ordered to register as a sex offender after he admitted committing an act of voyeurism, which left his victim depressed and anxious.

At Swindon Magistrates’ Court today (Monday), in a highly unusual move prosecutor Tom Power failed to outline the case in open court – meaning little is known about the exact nature of the offending.

Having ignored the principle of open justice, Wiltshire 999s made a successful application to the court to obtain documents pertaining to Bowyer’s crime, but they have not yet been provided.

During the hearing, the victim – bravely reading out her impact statement in court – said she has installed security lights around her property and fears what he might be capable of.

She told of how she often stays awake at night and is now medicated for depression and anxiety. She said the incident has had a “significant impact” on her emotional wellbeing.

“I don’t want him to do it to anyone else… I want him to know he can’t get away with this”, she said.

Barrister Rachael Stitt, defending, said that Bowyer offers his apologies to his victim and the court.

She said the the defendant may lose his job if he has to register as a sex offender and urged the bench not to follow the pre-sentence report to avoid that.

A series of character references were provided to the magistrates, including one from his son who described him as a “kind, caring and respectful man”.

A friend said Bowyer is an “inspiration” and told of how he – many years ago – saved a female from domestic violence by shielding her and taking her to hospital, saving her eyesight.

Accepting his “genuine remorse”, magistrates imposed an 18-month community order. He was told to complete 50 rehabilitation activity days and given a mental health treatment requirement.

The defendant, of High Street, Old Town, was also fined just over £1,900 and ordered to register has a sex offender for five years. He’ll also pay a court surcharge.

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A girl who a Royal Wootton Bassett man ‘wanted to abuse’ was actually an undercover cop.

Pietro Rossi was communicating with a profile on the internet chat room CHATiw – who claimed to be a 13-year-old female – between 27 April and 1 June 2020.

Robin Shellard, prosecuting, told Salisbury Crown Court today (Friday) that the 60-year-old sent numerous pictures of his erect penis and pornography showing females engaged in oral sex.

He continued to conversation on the messaging app Kik, where he told the ‘girl’ he wanted to sexually abuse her and requested what he called “naughty pictures” of her bottom.

The defendant also said he wished she was playing with his penis and asked her sexualised questions, including about whether or not she had digitally penetrated herself before.

However, Rossi later discovered that he was actually talking to an undercover officer from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit – when police arrived at his door with a warrant on October 2021. His partner, stepchildren and grandchildren resided at the address with him.

The defendant, of Ruxley Close, Royal Wootton Bassett, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child back in June when the case first came to court.

“This is a man whose behaviour is very, very out of character with what appears to be his usual self”, defence barrister Christopher Pix said.

In pre-conference ahead of sentencing, Rossi said “I want to say sorry, I don’t know who to say it to, I am just very, very sorry”, according to Mr Pix.

He said his client has a “great deal of remorse” and was having a “breakdown” at the time of the offending due to the ending of an abusive marriage and his highly stressful job.

Judge Barnett imposed a 12-month prison sentence – but suspended it for 18 months so that Rossi can get the help he “badly needs”.

He said that his personal life issues were “no excuse” to commit this crime, stating the he was “trying to get images from a person you thought was a child” – adding that it was “plainly deliberate”.

The judge told Rossi to complete 45 rehabilitation activity requirement days, 80 hours of unpaid work in the community and imposed a decade-long sexual harm prevention order. He’ll also have to register has a sex offender for ten years.

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A former assistant headteacher has been jailed for child sex offences in Cornwall.

75 year old Terence Burke - who now lives in Swindon -abused two teenagers in the early 2000s while he was the safeguarding lead at Falmouth School.

He's been sentenced to 18 years in prison this afternoon at Truro Crown Court and also placed on the sex offender's register.

The two women involved in the case have only been identified as Child A and Child B - 10 years of his sentence relate to offences committed against Child B, and the other 8 for offences against Child A.

In one of the victim's impact statements, she said 'No one should ever have to go through what he did to me.'

The judge noted in his summing up 'It is clear you abused your position... cont given your role as the safeguarding lead at the school, it is hard to think of a more serious breach of trust.'

Devon and Cornwall Police's investigative officer Detective Constable Isabelle Woodall said: “I am delighted by today’s outcome and sentence which I sincerely hope will bring a sense of justice to the victims.

“These were appalling offences committed against some of the vulnerable schoolgirls that Mr Burke, as assistant head teacher and safeguarding lead at Falmouth School, was tasked to protect, and constitutes a gross breach of trust.

“Today’s result is a testament to the bravery of the victims and witnesses who assisted with the investigation and attended court to give evidence.

“Whilst nothing will change the impact of this man’s offences on our victims, It is my hope that they will now be able to put these awful events behind them and move on with their lives.”

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Burke exploited his position of trust as an assistant head teacher to sexually abuse pupils who had been placed in his care. These crimes can have a devastating and long-term impact on the victims, and the women in this case have shown immense bravery in coming forward and reporting what happened.

“We hope that they are now getting all the support that they need, and they can find some comfort following Burke’s sentencing today. It is so important that anyone who has experienced sexual abuse knows who they can speak to and is confident they will be listened to.”