CYRIL FASCIONE SHOCKS KINGSBRIDGE WITH CHILD RAPE SENTENCE IN EXETER COURT

In a harrowing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Kingsbridge, Cyril Fascione, a 62-year-old former youth worker and coastguard, was sentenced to over 12 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against young girls. The proceedings took place at Exeter Crown Court, where the gravity of Fascione’s crimes was laid bare.

Judge Paul Darlow emphasized the breach of trust involved in Fascione’s actions, highlighting the betrayal of innocence by someone who was once considered a pillar of the local community. The judge also pointed out that by opting for a trial, Fascione had forced his victims to relive their traumatic experiences by giving evidence in court, adding to their suffering.

Fascione was convicted on multiple charges, including two counts of rape, one of indecent assault, and two counts of sexual touching. These convictions stemmed from an earlier trial held at Plymouth Crown Court. Notably, Fascione was not present in the courtroom during his sentencing, as he had refused to attend, citing severe travel sickness. The court was informed that he had refused to travel in the Reliance security van, which was used for transporting defendants, and as a result, Judge Darlow sentenced him in his absence.

The court heard disturbing details about Fascione’s past crimes, which dated back to the 1970s. During the trial, evidence revealed that Fascione had managed to conceal his dark secrets for decades, threatening a 13-year-old girl to silence her when she attempted to expose him. He had warned her that if she revealed his abuse, she would be taken into care, a threat that had a lasting psychological impact on her. At the time, Fascione was working as a coastguard and living in a village in South Devon, where he also worked as a builder. He boasted about his attractiveness, claiming he was 'better looking than Arnold Schwarzenegger,' which he used to manipulate and intimidate his victims.

The court was told that Fascione’s sexual assaults left enduring scars. One particularly disturbing incident involved him stopping his car beside the girl as she walked down the street, staring at her through the window and making her feel threatened. He even told her he knew where she lived, further intimidating her and reinforcing the sense of danger he posed.

The investigation into Fascione’s crimes was reignited in 2006 when he returned to his predatory behavior, this time targeting another young girl. She reported her experience to the police, which prompted Detective Constable Steve Pengilly to launch a comprehensive investigation. This inquiry uncovered the earlier rapes from 1976 and the indecent assault from 1978, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior spanning over three decades.

During the sentencing, defense lawyer Adam Vaitilingam highlighted Fascione’s poor health, suggesting that imprisonment would be particularly harsh for him. However, Judge Darlow made it clear that the severity of the crimes warranted a significant sentence. He stated that Fascione’s failure to admit responsibility earlier had denied his victims the opportunity to avoid reliving their trauma in court.

Addressing the specifics of the offenses, the judge noted that one of the rapes involved a specific threat not to tell anyone, with the victim being told she would be taken into care if she disclosed the abuse. This threat had a profound and ongoing psychological effect. Another victim, aged 12, was groped in a car, where Fascione’s actions caused her to fear for her safety as he refused to let her out.

The most recent offenses involved Fascione placing his hand down a girl’s trousers and asking her to show him her breasts. The victim was described as a vulnerable and solitary young girl, and Fascione’s disregard for her vulnerability was evident.

For his crimes, Cyril Fascione of Marlborough Park, Kingsbridge, was sentenced to 10 years for the two rapes, with an additional 18 months to run consecutively for the indecent assault, and a further 40 weeks for sexual touching, bringing his total sentence to 12 years and nine months. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was permanently banned from working with children.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Steve Pengilly commented, “Justice has now been done,” underscoring the community’s relief and the importance of holding offenders accountable for such grave violations.