ALAN BLAKEMORE FROM LONG SUTTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN TAUNTON
| Red Rose Database
Long Sutton Rapist
In August 2017, the community of Long Sutton was shaken as Alan Blakemore, a 50-year-old resident of Parsons Close, faced serious criminal charges related to the sexual abuse of a young boy. The case was scheduled to go to trial at Taunton Crown Court earlier that week, but in a significant development, Blakemore entered guilty pleas to multiple charges just before proceedings commenced.
Specifically, he admitted to two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13, along with three counts of sexual assault against a child under 13. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to two charges of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activities, with all these offenses occurring between January 2006 and January 2008. The court also heard that Blakemore admitted to two further charges of sexual assault on a child under 13, which took place from January 2008 to January 2012, as well as one charge of inciting a child to engage in sexual activities during the same period. Two additional charges of rape were ordered to be left on file, meaning they could be considered at sentencing but were not actively prosecuted at that time.
The prosecution, led by Ray Tully, revealed that Blakemore had sexually abused the victim, a boy aged between six and nine years old, on four or five separate occasions spanning from 2006 to 2012. The abuse came to light after the victim confided in his girlfriend, who then encouraged him to disclose the incidents to authorities. The court was informed that Blakemore had told the young boy he would perform a 'magic trick'—a statement that preceded a series of disturbing sexual assaults. The victim later provided police with a detailed account of the abuse in April of the previous year.
When initially questioned, Blakemore denied the allegations; however, he changed his stance on the morning of the trial, admitting to the offenses. It was also noted that Blakemore had a prior conviction for similar crimes, having served two and a half years in prison in 2013 after being found guilty of sexual assaults against two other boys under 13.
Judge David Ticehurst addressed Blakemore directly, emphasizing the gravity of his actions. He read aloud from the victim’s personal statement, which detailed the profound psychological trauma inflicted by the abuse and its lasting impact on his life. The judge remarked, “That’s your victims’ life. A life you have taken apart as a result of the systematic abuse you have put him through. Over a period of five years, you abused him when he was between six and nine years old. You, a man in your forties, committed these acts.”
In sentencing, Blakemore was given a total prison term of four and a half years. Furthermore, he was subjected to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, which restricts his contact with the victim and limits his ability to reoffend. He was also ordered to be on the sexual offenders register for the rest of his life and was issued a restraining order to prevent any future contact with the victim.
This case highlights the ongoing issues of child sexual abuse within communities like Long Sutton and underscores the importance of vigilance and reporting. The community and authorities continue to work together to protect vulnerable children and ensure that offenders like Alan Blakemore are held accountable for their heinous crimes.
Specifically, he admitted to two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13, along with three counts of sexual assault against a child under 13. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to two charges of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activities, with all these offenses occurring between January 2006 and January 2008. The court also heard that Blakemore admitted to two further charges of sexual assault on a child under 13, which took place from January 2008 to January 2012, as well as one charge of inciting a child to engage in sexual activities during the same period. Two additional charges of rape were ordered to be left on file, meaning they could be considered at sentencing but were not actively prosecuted at that time.
The prosecution, led by Ray Tully, revealed that Blakemore had sexually abused the victim, a boy aged between six and nine years old, on four or five separate occasions spanning from 2006 to 2012. The abuse came to light after the victim confided in his girlfriend, who then encouraged him to disclose the incidents to authorities. The court was informed that Blakemore had told the young boy he would perform a 'magic trick'—a statement that preceded a series of disturbing sexual assaults. The victim later provided police with a detailed account of the abuse in April of the previous year.
When initially questioned, Blakemore denied the allegations; however, he changed his stance on the morning of the trial, admitting to the offenses. It was also noted that Blakemore had a prior conviction for similar crimes, having served two and a half years in prison in 2013 after being found guilty of sexual assaults against two other boys under 13.
Judge David Ticehurst addressed Blakemore directly, emphasizing the gravity of his actions. He read aloud from the victim’s personal statement, which detailed the profound psychological trauma inflicted by the abuse and its lasting impact on his life. The judge remarked, “That’s your victims’ life. A life you have taken apart as a result of the systematic abuse you have put him through. Over a period of five years, you abused him when he was between six and nine years old. You, a man in your forties, committed these acts.”
In sentencing, Blakemore was given a total prison term of four and a half years. Furthermore, he was subjected to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, which restricts his contact with the victim and limits his ability to reoffend. He was also ordered to be on the sexual offenders register for the rest of his life and was issued a restraining order to prevent any future contact with the victim.
This case highlights the ongoing issues of child sexual abuse within communities like Long Sutton and underscores the importance of vigilance and reporting. The community and authorities continue to work together to protect vulnerable children and ensure that offenders like Alan Blakemore are held accountable for their heinous crimes.