CHRISTOPHER REYNOLDS FROM TAUNTON REARRESTED AFTER EARLY RELEASE AND PAROLE BREACH

In July 2022, Christopher Reynolds, a 60-year-old former DJ from Taunton, found himself back behind bars after having been released early from prison due to good behaviour. The specific reasons for his recall to custody have not been publicly disclosed, but it is understood that he may now be required to serve the remainder of his six-year sentence, which was handed down in April 2019 at Taunton Crown Court. His early release was contingent upon approval from the Parole Board, and he was scheduled to remain on licence until March 2025, unless further decisions were made to extend or revoke his release.

Reynolds’s criminal history is deeply troubling. He was convicted of multiple sexual offences involving two young girls, aged 12 and 14 at the time. His guilty plea came after he subjected his victims to the trauma of two separate trials, during which they recounted the manipulation and abuse they endured. One of his victims expressed her feelings about his return to custody, stating, “A leopard doesn’t change its spots. It’s unknown why he’s back in prison. It’s possible he might have to complete the rest of his sentence in jail.”

Known in the local entertainment scene, Reynolds worked as a DJ at clubs, on Apple FM radio, and was also associated with the now-defunct Taunton TV. He was also known by the alias Chris Young. His criminal record includes seven counts of indecent assault, for which he received a series of concurrent sentences: three six-year terms, three three-year terms, and a one-year sentence. As part of his sentence, Reynolds is required to register as a sex offender for life and is subject to a 20-year restraining order that prohibits him from contacting his victims.

During the trial, one of the victims, a 14-year-old girl, described how Reynolds manipulated her mind, making her feel special and wanted, which ultimately left her feeling worthless and ashamed. She revealed that since the crimes were made public, she has been overwhelmed with emotional distress, crying daily and battling her inner demons. Her testimony highlighted the profound and lasting impact of Reynolds’s actions.

The second victim, who met Reynolds at a particularly vulnerable point in her life, described him as her “saviour” and her “father figure,” someone she looked forward to hearing from and meeting. She recounted how Reynolds groomed her for his own benefit, despite her initial perception of him as a friend. Her relationship with Reynolds coincided with her father’s battle with terminal cancer, which she was only beginning to reconnect with. She expressed that Reynolds’s manipulation robbed her of her teenage years and her chance to have a meaningful relationship with her father, which had devastating effects on her mental health, leading her to self-harm, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts.

The judge presiding over Reynolds’s case did not hold back in his remarks. Addressing Reynolds directly, he stated, “You no doubt regarded yourself as something of a local celebrity,” and added, “You have an unhealthy interest in young girls.” Reynolds, who was married with children at the time, was also criticized for his predatory behavior.

Earlier in 2019, Reynolds faced a separate trial at Taunton Crown Court, where he was convicted of multiple sexual offences against underage girls. The jury found him guilty of six counts of indecent assault involving a girl under 16 and one involving a girl under 12. He was acquitted of three other charges of indecent assault and one count of rape. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on three additional charges, leaving those allegations unresolved. Reynolds’s former partner, Julia Wildman, aged 58, was also tried alongside him but was acquitted of witness intimidation charges. The Crown Prosecution Service was given 14 days to decide whether to seek a retrial on the charges that resulted in a hung jury.

Following his conviction, Reynolds was remanded into custody, with Judge David Ticehurst ordering a probation report to determine the appropriate length of his prison sentence. Reynolds was led away from court, nodding in acknowledgment. Earlier that day, police had been dispatched to his residence after he failed to appear at court. They found him in bed and, fearing he might have taken an overdose, rushed him to hospital as a precaution. A mental health assessment later concluded that there were no concerns regarding his mental state.

Reynolds’s criminal activities were linked to his work as a DJ at Apple FM and his involvement in local discos, particularly in Bridgwater. His victims included a girl he met at a disco and another girl he encountered through his work at Taunton TV. His actions have left lasting scars on those affected, and his repeated offences have sparked outrage and concern within the community.