CRAIG BUTTENSHAW JAILED IN PLYMOUTH FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST TEENAGERS

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community, Craig Buttenshaw, a man originally from Newton Abbot, was sentenced to seven years in prison for a series of serious sexual offences involving under-age girls. The court proceedings, held at Exeter Crown Court, revealed disturbing details about Buttenshaw's predatory behavior and the manipulative tactics he employed to gain the trust of vulnerable teenagers.

According to the court, Buttenshaw, who was living and working in Plymouth at the time of his arrest, had targeted young girls over a period of more than a decade. The allegations against him included 20 separate sexual offences involving three teenage girls, two of whom were under the age of consent. The trial, which concluded last month, saw Buttenshaw deny all charges, claiming he had never engaged in sexual activity with minors.

However, the evidence presented in court painted a different picture. One of the victims, a girl who was just 12 years old when Buttenshaw began abusing her, testified that he initially started by kissing her and then progressed to touching her sexually. She recounted that Buttenshaw's actions escalated to repeated rapes, causing her significant emotional and physical trauma. Buttenshaw, who faced 13 charges related to her case, maintained his innocence, asserting that he had never sexually touched her.

He was convicted on 12 counts, including three indecent assaults and four charges of sexual activity with a child. The jury, however, acquitted him of four charges of rape and two additional indecent assaults concerning her. Another girl, who was 14 at the time of the abuse, also testified against Buttenshaw. She claimed that he began abusing her when she told him she was 16, believing their relationship was consensual. It was only later, when she revealed her true age, that Buttenshaw ended the relationship. The court found him guilty of four counts of sexual activity with a minor involving her, but acquitted him of one similar charge and found him not guilty of raping a 17-year-old.

Throughout the trial, Buttenshaw's defense, led by Piers Norsworthy, argued that he had never knowingly engaged in sexual activity with an under-age girl. Norsworthy also highlighted that Buttenshaw was experiencing personal turmoil at the time, including infidelity issues with his girlfriend, which he claimed contributed to his behavior. Despite these arguments, the court's verdict reflected the severity of his actions and the harm caused to his victims.

Following his conviction, Buttenshaw was taken into custody and will serve his sentence in accordance with the court's ruling. His case underscores the ongoing concerns about grooming and exploitation of minors, and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and protective measures within communities like Plymouth and beyond.