CARE WORKER CHRYSTAL BARNES FROM WESTBURY SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES IN NORTH EAST SOMERSET

In February 2018, a disturbing case emerged involving Chrystal Barnes, a 23-year-old care worker from Westbury, who was convicted of engaging in sexual activities with a 15-year-old boy under her care in North East Somerset. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and raised serious concerns about safeguarding and the responsibilities entrusted to those working with vulnerable youth.

Barnes, who was employed at a residential care facility catering to children and young adults aged ten to 19, was the key worker assigned to the victim, a boy diagnosed with ADHD and Asperger’s syndrome. The sexual misconduct occurred over a span of several months, specifically between October and December 2017. The case came to light after the teenager confided in his mother and authorities about the inappropriate relationship, leading to Barnes’s arrest on December 23.

Following her arrest, Barnes faced multiple charges, including three counts of sexual activity with a child. She subsequently pleaded guilty to these charges at Bristol Crown Court. On February 9, she was sentenced to three years in prison, a decision that underscores the gravity of her actions. During the sentencing hearing, both the prosecution and Judge Michael Cullum emphasized the abuse of power involved in the case, although they clarified that grooming, in the traditional sense, was not established.

It was revealed during the court proceedings that Barnes, who had recently graduated from university with aspirations of positively impacting young lives, began her employment with Wessex College only a few months prior to the offenses. The court detailed a particularly troubling incident in October, when the victim, who was intoxicated after persuading Barnes to buy him a bottle of wine and consuming around ten cans of lager obtained from a friend, was taken out for a drive by Barnes. This outing was reportedly a common practice at the care home, which remains unnamed.

During this drive, the boy, who was visibly upset after realizing he was being driven in circles instead of to his girlfriend’s house, eventually fell asleep. He later claimed to have woken up in a remote car park to find Barnes placing her hand on his lap. She then asked him to have sex, and the two engaged in sexual intercourse before Barnes returned him to the care home. This marked the beginning of a series of inappropriate encounters, with the second incident occurring in the boy’s room at the care facility, initiated by the victim himself.

Further troubling developments unfolded on November 28, when Barnes allegedly instructed the boy to leave the care home and visit her at her residence in Westbury. Over several hours, they engaged in sexual activity on three separate occasions. After this period, Barnes ceased contact with the boy. However, the teenager began to blackmail her, threatening to reveal their relationship to his mother unless she complied with his demands, which included giving him lifts in her car. Court evidence included messages from Barnes pleading with him, saying, “You said you would never hurt me,” and “I’m begging you, tell her it didn’t happen. This will ruin my life.”

During the hearing, Barnes’s defense lawyer, Clare Fear, highlighted her client’s previously good character and expressed remorse and shame for her actions. Despite this, Judge Cullum emphasized the seriousness of the case, stating that the abuse of a vulnerable child by someone in a position of trust warranted a custodial sentence. The judge pointed out that many care workers serve their communities without misconduct, and Barnes’s betrayal of her role was particularly egregious.

Judge Cullum remarked that Barnes’s actions, especially encouraging the victim to have sex while he was intoxicated, demonstrated a clear abuse of her position. He noted that the victim’s vulnerability and the repeated nature of the offenses made a custodial sentence unavoidable. The judge also stated that suspending the sentence would be a dereliction of duty, and as part of her punishment, Barnes will be registered as a sex offender for life, reflecting the severity of her crimes and the need for ongoing public protection.