DAVID ORCHARD WITHYMAN: EXETER SEX OFFENDER JAILED FOR PREDATORY BEHAVIOR AND GROOMING IN DEVON AND SHEFFIELD
| Red Rose Database
Exeter Child Sexual Abuser
A man known as David Orchard, also referred to as Withyman, has been sentenced to prison after a series of disturbing sexual offenses involving underage girls across Sheffield and Exeter. The case revealed a pattern of predatory behavior, grooming, and illegal sexual activity that spanned several years and locations.
Orchard, who is currently 23 years old and has no fixed address, was found guilty of multiple charges related to his interactions with minors. His criminal activities included engaging in sexual acts with three girls aged 13, 14, and 15, as well as attempting to establish contact and sexual relationships with two additional underage girls. His actions have caused significant concern among law enforcement and the community.
The investigation uncovered that Orchard had a five-month relationship with a 14-year-old girl in Exeter, during which they engaged in unprotected sex on four separate occasions inside his car. The relationship came to light when school authorities became suspicious of Orchard’s frequent walks with the girl to school, prompting concerns that led to police involvement. It was during this period that Orchard was living in Exeter, having moved there while under investigation for similar offenses in Sheffield.
Prior to his move, Orchard had been involved in sexual misconduct in Sheffield, where he defied a police notice to stay away from a 15-year-old girl. Despite the restrictions, he persuaded her to have sex with him at a friend’s house. His criminal behavior extended further when he invited two 13-year-old girls to his sister’s residence in Sheffield, where he watched a film with them. During this visit, he coerced one of the girls into performing oral sex on him.
Further evidence was uncovered through social media messages on Orchard’s phone, revealing that he had communicated with two more girls, suggesting sexual activity and boasting about his genital size. In one message, he wrote to a 13-year-old girl, “you could not get any bigger,” indicating a disturbing level of arrogance and predatory intent.
Orchard admitted to two counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of sexual communication with a child. However, he denied a further charge of sexual activity with a girl in Exeter, but the court found him guilty at a trial held in Exeter in January. The judge, Recorder Mr. Jonathan Barnes, sentenced Orchard to five years in prison. Additionally, Orchard was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order that prohibits any future contact with underage girls.
The court heard a stern warning from the judge, emphasizing the seriousness of Orchard’s actions. “What you did was very serious. You knew full well you should not have been engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity with underage girls,” he stated. “You were with three separate young girls and committed two further offenses of sexual grooming of two more. I am sure you would have proceeded to commit further sexual offenses if given the opportunity. If you come out of prison and involve yourself with underage girls again, you will face a very long prison sentence.”
Prosecutor Mr. Richard Crabb outlined the timeline of Orchard’s offenses, which began in Sheffield during July and August of 2017. The victims included a 15-year-old and a 13-year-old girl. Orchard had been in a relationship with the older girl for several months and had been issued an abduction order that prohibited contact. Despite this, he manipulated her into having full sexual intercourse.
His interactions with the two 13-year-olds involved social media, where he invited them to his sister’s house. During one visit, he coerced one girl into performing oral sex and held her head in place for about 25 seconds. Despite being arrested and questioned by police, Orchard initially denied meeting the girls, even after they identified him in an identification procedure.
Following his release under investigation, Orchard moved to Devon in October 2017, adopting the alias “Withyman” and spending time living in his car. It was shortly after arriving in Exeter that he met the 14-year-old girl, with whom he developed a sexual relationship, including having sex in his vehicle. The schoolgirl’s mother became concerned after her daughter developed a crush on Orchard, leading to police involvement.
Further investigations revealed that Orchard had groomed two more girls via Facebook, sending explicit messages and images, including a picture of his penis. His actions have been widely condemned, and his case highlights the dangers of online grooming and predatory behavior among young offenders. The court’s verdict underscores the gravity of his crimes and the ongoing threat he poses to minors in the community.
Orchard, who is currently 23 years old and has no fixed address, was found guilty of multiple charges related to his interactions with minors. His criminal activities included engaging in sexual acts with three girls aged 13, 14, and 15, as well as attempting to establish contact and sexual relationships with two additional underage girls. His actions have caused significant concern among law enforcement and the community.
The investigation uncovered that Orchard had a five-month relationship with a 14-year-old girl in Exeter, during which they engaged in unprotected sex on four separate occasions inside his car. The relationship came to light when school authorities became suspicious of Orchard’s frequent walks with the girl to school, prompting concerns that led to police involvement. It was during this period that Orchard was living in Exeter, having moved there while under investigation for similar offenses in Sheffield.
Prior to his move, Orchard had been involved in sexual misconduct in Sheffield, where he defied a police notice to stay away from a 15-year-old girl. Despite the restrictions, he persuaded her to have sex with him at a friend’s house. His criminal behavior extended further when he invited two 13-year-old girls to his sister’s residence in Sheffield, where he watched a film with them. During this visit, he coerced one of the girls into performing oral sex on him.
Further evidence was uncovered through social media messages on Orchard’s phone, revealing that he had communicated with two more girls, suggesting sexual activity and boasting about his genital size. In one message, he wrote to a 13-year-old girl, “you could not get any bigger,” indicating a disturbing level of arrogance and predatory intent.
Orchard admitted to two counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of sexual communication with a child. However, he denied a further charge of sexual activity with a girl in Exeter, but the court found him guilty at a trial held in Exeter in January. The judge, Recorder Mr. Jonathan Barnes, sentenced Orchard to five years in prison. Additionally, Orchard was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order that prohibits any future contact with underage girls.
The court heard a stern warning from the judge, emphasizing the seriousness of Orchard’s actions. “What you did was very serious. You knew full well you should not have been engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity with underage girls,” he stated. “You were with three separate young girls and committed two further offenses of sexual grooming of two more. I am sure you would have proceeded to commit further sexual offenses if given the opportunity. If you come out of prison and involve yourself with underage girls again, you will face a very long prison sentence.”
Prosecutor Mr. Richard Crabb outlined the timeline of Orchard’s offenses, which began in Sheffield during July and August of 2017. The victims included a 15-year-old and a 13-year-old girl. Orchard had been in a relationship with the older girl for several months and had been issued an abduction order that prohibited contact. Despite this, he manipulated her into having full sexual intercourse.
His interactions with the two 13-year-olds involved social media, where he invited them to his sister’s house. During one visit, he coerced one girl into performing oral sex and held her head in place for about 25 seconds. Despite being arrested and questioned by police, Orchard initially denied meeting the girls, even after they identified him in an identification procedure.
Following his release under investigation, Orchard moved to Devon in October 2017, adopting the alias “Withyman” and spending time living in his car. It was shortly after arriving in Exeter that he met the 14-year-old girl, with whom he developed a sexual relationship, including having sex in his vehicle. The schoolgirl’s mother became concerned after her daughter developed a crush on Orchard, leading to police involvement.
Further investigations revealed that Orchard had groomed two more girls via Facebook, sending explicit messages and images, including a picture of his penis. His actions have been widely condemned, and his case highlights the dangers of online grooming and predatory behavior among young offenders. The court’s verdict underscores the gravity of his crimes and the ongoing threat he poses to minors in the community.