ANDRE EGINGTON FROM MINEHEAD SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF TWO GIRLS IN DEVON

In a case that has shocked the community of Minehead and the surrounding areas, 38-year-old Andre Egington was handed an eight-year prison sentence following his conviction for the sexual abuse of two young girls. The sentencing took place on December 21, with a judge expressing clear outrage at the severity of his crimes.

Originally residing on Penfield Road in Minehead, Egington was already a serving prisoner at the time of sentencing. His offenses involved two victims, a 15-year-old girl and a younger girl aged 12. The abuse of the 15-year-old occurred first, but it was the subsequent assault on the 12-year-old that drew particular attention during the trial.

During the assault on the younger girl, Egington reportedly told her, as she was crying and clearly distressed, “Don’t tell. I could get in trouble. What goes on in this house, stays in this house.” This chilling statement underscored the manipulative and coercive nature of his actions, aimed at silencing his victim.

Prosecutor Mark Worsley detailed how Egington attempted to conceal his misconduct. He initially tried to deceive the girl’s father by claiming that he had “accidentally” touched the girl, an explanation that was clearly false. However, the truth emerged when the girl confided in her school about what had happened. Confronted by her father, Egington broke down and admitted to the abuse.

Worsley further explained that Egington’s admissions were corroborated during police interviews, where he confessed to the crimes. The court heard that Egington’s actions included sexual activity with a child and sexual assault on a girl under the age of 13, with the offenses occurring over a span of months.

In his sentencing remarks, the judge ordered Egington to serve four years for sexual activity with a child and an additional year for sexual assault on a girl under 13, with these sentences to run concurrently. Furthermore, he was sentenced to an extra four years for a penetrative assault on a girl under 13, to be served consecutively. An additional 12 months was added to his sentence on license, ensuring close supervision upon his release.

As part of the court’s measures to prevent future harm, Egington was also subjected to a sexual harm prevention order. He was ordered to pay a surcharge of £140, contributing to the costs associated with his prosecution. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of authorities to protect vulnerable children and hold offenders accountable for their heinous crimes.