ADAM SUCH FROM FALMOUTH SENTENCED FOR ABUSE AND RAPE OF YOUNG GIRL IN CORNWALL

In April 2022, a tragic case unfolded in Falmouth, Cornwall, where a 21-year-old man named Adam Such was sentenced to prison for heinous crimes involving a young girl. Such was found guilty of multiple serious offences, including sexual assault, rape, and possession of indecent images of children, which collectively caused devastating trauma to his victim and her family.

Such, residing in Prislow Fields, Falmouth, committed these offences in May 2021. The court heard that he sexually assaulted the girl on May 5, 2021, subjecting her to various forms of abuse and taking photographs during the assault. He used threats to silence her, warning that there would be severe consequences for her and her family if she disclosed what had happened.

The abuse only came to light after a family member discovered indecent photographs of the girl and other children stored on Such's phone. This discovery prompted an investigation, during which Such initially denied the allegations in police interviews and at a magistrates' court. However, he later pleaded guilty to seven charges, including two counts of sexual assault, one of rape, one of sexual assault by penetration, and three counts of possessing indecent images of children, including images of his victim.

The impact of Such’s crimes was vividly described in a victim impact statement provided by the girl’s grandmother. She recounted how her granddaughter’s personality changed dramatically after the abuse. The girl, once innocent and carefree, suddenly became more mature beyond her years, adopting makeup and speaking in a manner that alarmed her family. Her grandmother described her as angry and confused, and detailed the profound emotional toll on the entire family. Her mother reportedly began experiencing suicidal thoughts, and her grandmother suffered a breakdown that left her unable to work for months.

In her statement, the grandmother expressed her anguish, stating, “All we can do is to support her and each other through this. She has to live with what he has done for the rest of her life. I now know that you lie to everyone, building a series of lies to get people feeling sorry for you. I had to see indecent pictures of my granddaughter and other children that I will never forget. I could have lost my life, grandchildren, and work due to his behaviour.”

Further testimonies revealed the strain the abuse placed on family relationships. The girl’s relationship with her mother suffered, and her grandfather explained in a victim impact statement that he has been caring for her since the incident, managing her “explosive outbursts” and increasing his medication due to worry and sadness. He expressed concern about the long-term effects on her development, emphasizing their commitment to supporting her through her recovery.

Representing Such, solicitor Rupert Taylor acknowledged that although Such initially pleaded not guilty, his late plea of guilty demonstrated remorse and contrition. He noted that Such, despite his young age, showed some signs of remorse, although a pre-sentence report indicated that he lacked insight into his behaviour and was in denial about the sexual nature of his actions.

Judge Anna Richardson, presiding over the case at Truro Crown Court, condemned Such’s actions, stating that he had “damaged the young girl enormously.” The judge described the girl’s feelings of being “dirty, sad and confused,” and criticized Such’s attitude when confronted, which she described as “utterly remorseless.” While noting that Such has a history of childhood abuse and is of previous good character, the judge also highlighted the findings of a pre-sentence report that suggested Such does not fully understand or accept the gravity of his actions.

In her sentencing remarks, Judge Richardson sentenced Such to 11 years and two months in prison, with an additional four-year extension. A sexual harm prevention order was also imposed, requiring Such to remain on the sex offender register and pay a victim surcharge. Such was also ordered to sign the sex offender register for an indefinite period.

Concluding the proceedings, Judge Richardson addressed the victim’s family directly, offering reassurance that with appropriate support, the girl would eventually recover. She expressed hope that her “spark will come back,” and that she would no longer see all men as threats, emphasizing the importance of ongoing care and support from her family during her recovery process.