BARRY CORNES AND CHILD ABUSE SHOCK IN TORQUAY, DEVON

A man from Torquay named Barry Cornes has been sentenced to prison after authorities uncovered disturbing evidence on his mobile phone that linked him to the abuse of a one-year-old girl. Cornes, aged 47 and residing on St Lukes Road in Torquay, was involved in an incident that sparked a criminal investigation following the discovery of an indecent image on his device.

The charges against Cornes included filming himself engaging in inappropriate activities involving the young child. Despite his claims that his actions were motivated by simple curiosity and that there was no sexual intent behind his conduct, the jury at Exeter Crown Court did not accept his explanation. They convicted him of sexual assault, a decision that significantly impacted his life.

The case was brought to light when police traced the mother of the victim—who was the child’s mother—after finding the image during a routine examination of Cornes’s phone. The image depicted his hand and had been stored in a deleted section of his device, indicating an intent to conceal the file. The mother of the child, in a victim impact statement, described her feelings of profound sickness and devastation upon learning what had occurred.

Medical professionals examined the child following the incident, and fortunately, the examination revealed no physical damage or injuries resulting from the abuse. This medical assessment was a necessary step in the legal process and helped establish the severity and nature of the case.

In addition to the sexual assault charges, Cornes admitted to taking an indecent image of a child, which contributed to the length and severity of his sentencing. He was sentenced to three years and six months in prison. Furthermore, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life, requiring him to comply with strict monitoring and reporting obligations.

To prevent any future harm, Cornes was also subjected to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. This court order explicitly prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with children, aiming to protect potential future victims and prevent recurrence of similar offenses.

During the sentencing, Judge David Evans addressed Cornes directly, criticizing his apparent lack of remorse and his continued denial of guilt. The judge emphasized the pain and distress caused by the offense, especially noting the vulnerability of the young child involved. He stated, “You are still in denial and have shown no remorse. The personal statement of the child’s mother makes plain the very significant distress which your offending caused. The child was particularly vulnerable because of her extremely young age. The taking of pictures is an aggravating feature. This conviction will doubtless haunt you for the rest of your life, and rightly so.”

Prosecutor Mr. David Scutt outlined that the offense occurred in January of the previous year and came to light after the image was uncovered in a deleted portion of Cornes’s phone. Despite new evidence pointing to his involvement, Cornes maintained his explanation that his actions were out of curiosity, not driven by sexual desire.

The mother’s victim statement expressed her deep trauma, stating, “I felt physically sick. Going to the medical centre to see if my baby was sexually damaged was the worst thing I have ever had to go through.” Her words underscored the emotional toll that this case has taken on her and the devastating impact of Cornes’s actions on her family.

This case highlights the serious consequences of grooming and exploiting vulnerable children in Torquay, emphasizing the importance of rigorous investigation and judicial measures to protect the community from individuals who pose a threat to young children.