BRIDGWATER SOLDIER AND SEX OFFENDER ANDREW NORRIS JAILED FOR ABUSING 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN TAUNTON
| Red Rose Database
Bridgwater Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has shocked the community of Bridgwater, Andrew Norris, a 47-year-old former soldier, was sentenced to prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl and inciting her to engage in sexual activity. The incident took place in Bridgwater, and the court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the assault that has left a lasting impact on the young victim.
Andrew Norris, who resides on Hamp Street in Bridgwater, appeared before Taunton Crown Court on a Friday for sentencing following his conviction in March. The court found him guilty of two serious charges: inciting a female under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity and committing sexual assault on a female. The judge, Graham Hume Jones, emphasized the gravity of Norris’s actions, which he stated would have a profound and serious effect on the young girl involved.
During the sentencing, Judge Hume Jones highlighted Norris’s background, noting his service in the British Army, including deployments in Northern Ireland and the Falklands. The judge expressed disappointment that Norris, despite his military service, had committed such offenses, which he described as taking advantage of a distressed young girl. The judge remarked, “The fact was that this girl was distressed and you took advantage of her. You didn’t accept your responsibility and put her through the ordeal of giving evidence. What you have done is bound to have a serious effect on a child of this age.”
The court heard that both offenses occurred during a single incident in which Norris sexually touched the girl and then engaged in further sexual misconduct. The details of the assault revealed that Norris coerced the girl into touching him sexually before subjecting her to additional inappropriate contact. The court was told that the trauma inflicted on the young victim was significant and that her distress was evident.
Patrick Mason, Norris’s defense lawyer, provided some context about his client’s background, stating that Norris had served in the Scots Guards regiment from the age of 16. Mason explained that Norris’s military service included overseas conflicts, which he claimed had left emotional scars on him. After leaving the army, Norris reportedly worked diligently until a back injury hindered his employment. Mason described Norris as a man of good character prior to these incidents.
In light of the convictions, Norris was sentenced to two years in prison for each of the two offenses, with the sentences to run concurrently. Additionally, he was issued a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and was required to register as a sex offender. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which such offenses are treated and aims to protect the community from individuals who pose a risk to children and vulnerable persons.
Andrew Norris, who resides on Hamp Street in Bridgwater, appeared before Taunton Crown Court on a Friday for sentencing following his conviction in March. The court found him guilty of two serious charges: inciting a female under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity and committing sexual assault on a female. The judge, Graham Hume Jones, emphasized the gravity of Norris’s actions, which he stated would have a profound and serious effect on the young girl involved.
During the sentencing, Judge Hume Jones highlighted Norris’s background, noting his service in the British Army, including deployments in Northern Ireland and the Falklands. The judge expressed disappointment that Norris, despite his military service, had committed such offenses, which he described as taking advantage of a distressed young girl. The judge remarked, “The fact was that this girl was distressed and you took advantage of her. You didn’t accept your responsibility and put her through the ordeal of giving evidence. What you have done is bound to have a serious effect on a child of this age.”
The court heard that both offenses occurred during a single incident in which Norris sexually touched the girl and then engaged in further sexual misconduct. The details of the assault revealed that Norris coerced the girl into touching him sexually before subjecting her to additional inappropriate contact. The court was told that the trauma inflicted on the young victim was significant and that her distress was evident.
Patrick Mason, Norris’s defense lawyer, provided some context about his client’s background, stating that Norris had served in the Scots Guards regiment from the age of 16. Mason explained that Norris’s military service included overseas conflicts, which he claimed had left emotional scars on him. After leaving the army, Norris reportedly worked diligently until a back injury hindered his employment. Mason described Norris as a man of good character prior to these incidents.
In light of the convictions, Norris was sentenced to two years in prison for each of the two offenses, with the sentences to run concurrently. Additionally, he was issued a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and was required to register as a sex offender. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which such offenses are treated and aims to protect the community from individuals who pose a risk to children and vulnerable persons.