COLIN ALMOND FROM TROWBRIDGE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST CHILDREN IN TROWBRIDGE

In a serious case that has shocked the community of Trowbridge, a man named Colin Almond has been sentenced to five years in prison after he admitted to engaging in sexual activities with a young girl. The incident, which took place over a span of two years, involved multiple counts of sexual assault and misconduct against a minor, highlighting the severity of the allegations and the legal proceedings that followed.

Colin Almond, aged 42 and residing on Studley Rise in Trowbridge, pleaded guilty to six separate counts of sexual activity with a child. These offenses were committed between the years 2003 and 2004, during which the victim was between the ages of 11 and 13. The court proceedings revealed that Almond's actions were repeated and targeted at a vulnerable young girl, causing significant concern among local residents and authorities alike.

The case came to light in October 2013 when Almond appeared at Swindon Crown Court to face the charges. During the hearing, he admitted to two counts of sexual assault involving a girl under the age of 13, as well as a charge of inciting or causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. In addition, Almond confessed to four other counts of sexual activity with a minor, which spanned from when the girl was approximately 11 or 12 years old in 2004 or 2005, to when she was 13 in 2005 and 2006.

Almond, however, pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of sexual assault on another young girl aged nine, and to an additional allegation involving a different minor. The court proceedings were scheduled to continue, with Judge Douglas Field adjourning the case to November 15 to allow the probation service to prepare a comprehensive pre-sentence report. Almond was released on bail under the condition that he cooperates fully with the report's preparation, but the judge issued a stern warning, stating, “The fact you are being granted bail should not be taken as any indication of the final outcome of this case. It is almost inevitable this case will end up in a custodial sentence.”

As part of the sentencing process, Almond will be required to register as a sex offender, a measure that will remain in effect for a period determined by the final sentence. The court's decision underscores the gravity of the crimes committed and the legal system's response to protect the community from individuals who pose a risk to minors. The case remains a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and justice in safeguarding vulnerable children from abuse.