Tony Taylor 44

Description

A Devon man has been jailed for raping a teenager in a shed. Tony Taylor, 44, of Coronation Road, Kingsbridge, forced himself on the terrified girl and ignored her pleas to stop, Exeter Crown Court heard.

He told her not to tell anyone and that it would be "their secret," but police were called and Taylor arrested.

Taylor initially refused to answer police questions but eventually pleaded guilty to rape and two charges of sexual assault. He was sentenced to six years and nine months.

The court heard he raped his victim in 2023 after drinking and groping her. She repeatedly said "no" and froze in terror during the assault, said prosecutor Mary McCarthy.

Despite DNA proof of his guilt, he refused to answer questions, the prosecutor added. Defense lawyer Emily Pitts said sex offenders often don't admit guilt and it took "a huge amount of courage" on his part to do so.

She noted he had "positive character traits," was a hard-worker and a man of previous good character, and is sorry.

Judge Stephen Climie said it was impossible to know what was going through the defendant's head at the time. "You are an otherwise decent member of society," he added.

Taylor must sign the sex offender register for life and was given a sexual harm prevention order until further notice.