Locations
Upland Crescent, Truro, Cornwall, TR1
Description
A sexual predator with a “Jekyll and Hyde personality” used his position as a respected cricket coach to make advances on women, a court has heard.
David Taylor, of Upland Crescent, Truro was before Truro Crown Court this morning (Friday) for sentencing after a jury found him guilty of sexual assaults on three women.
However, this was not the first time that Taylor had been before a court for such offences.
In 2021 he was also convicted of touching a woman and a teenager without consent, but was given a suspended sentence at that time.
Today, however, Judge Simon Carr said that prison was the only option for Taylor, telling the 61-year-old that it was doubtful what good the rehabilitation activities did as: “You show no remorse or understanding of the harm you have inflicted.”
He sentenced Taylor to a total of 21 months in prison, of which he must serve half before being released on licence, as well as sign the sexual offenders’ register.
Judge Carr said that what made the case unusual was that Taylor was a highly respected cricket coach in Cornwall, saying: “One of the striking features of this case was those that were abused, despite that abuse, still spoke highly of you as a coach; of the difference you had made to theirs and others’ careers and the promotion of women’s cricket in Cornwall.
“You clearly have a genuine Jekyll and Hyde personality. On the one side you are a brilliant coach, going out of your way on a voluntary basis to assist people both near and far with their careers.
“On the other hand you are sexual predator, who uses your position within that cricket fraternity to abuse women.”
The judge said he suspected many of Taylor’s family and friends still could not accept what he did, as they had only seen one side of his character, before adding: “But anybody who saw that trial before me and those three young women giving evidence so powerfully and obviously truthfully will have seen another side.
“Each of them, independently, when asked why they didn’t speak at the time, spoke of not just a fear of being believed because of your status but the fact they would lose the one thing they valued most – being able to play cricket without people talking behind their back.
“You used that power to abuse them for your own sexual gratification and amusement.”
The trial had heard evidence of unwanted kissing and sexual touching from Taylor on the women, including while other people were nearby, and Judge Carr said he wanted to remove any idea that the offences could “in some way be described as minor”, adding: “The psychological effect has been significant.”
Earlier the court had heard two victim impact statements read out, one of which said Taylor has still not acknowledged his behaviour or offered any apology.
The other said she felt a range of emotions, from relief and anxiousness to sadness and guilty.
She said that she had felt fortunate to have someone giving quality coaching in a sport she loved, but added: “Though that cannot be taken away, it’s been tarnished at the realisation that it came as a victim of sexual assault.”
The woman said she had felt anxiety each time she went into Truro city centre, in case she saw Taylor, and would not allow herself to be in situations where she was alone with men.
She said it was important to her that sexual assault was given “a larger dialogue” and that she wanted to see measures put in place for people to be able to enjoy sport regardless of their age, gender or ethnicity.
Jason Beal, representing Taylor, said his client “remained in denial about what has happened.”
He pointed to character references during the trial, which included positive things said about him even by witnesses for the prosecution, adding: “He’s a hardworking man, even though there has been a drop in his status in recent years, he’s continued to work hard.”