June 2009 ‘Bullying’ child-abuser jailed for 15 years A MAN has been jailed for 15 years after being found guilty of sexually abusing three children in Cornwall. Barrie Stewart, 42, of Machen, Caerphilly, was convicted of six counts of indecency with a child while he was living in Cornwall. He was also found guilty of an attempted rape, three rapes and one indecent assault. But he was acquitted of two further rape allegations at Truro Crown Court. Building worker and fencer Stewart denied that he had committed any offences and claimed that the allegations were malicious. He also claimed he had been in care until he was 16 and told the court he had been a victim of sexual abuse. But, in his summing up, Judge Christopher Elwen said: “It is the prosecution’s case that he is a clever, bullying and controlling child abuser.” And passing sentence, Judge Elwen said: “It has been a long time since I have presided over such an unpleasant trial. There is little or nothing to be said in your favour. “You made the children relive their ordeals in public.” Judge Elwen added that the fact Stewart came from a troubled background was no excuse for his actions. Stewart will serve at least seven and a half years behind bars and must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.