BRIDGWATER MAN JAILED FOR GROOMING AND SEXUALLY ABUSING 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL
A man from Bridgwater has been imprisoned after grooming a teenage girl and subsequently abusing her sexually, having first exchanged texts and gifts with her.David Pearce, 64, of Chilton Polden, was convicted of two counts of sexual activity with a child outside of recent times and sentenced at Taunton Crown Court on January 10.
He received two prison sentences, of five years and eight years, to run concurrently.
The court was told that Pearce groomed his victim, then 15, during the early 2000s, establishing a pattern of communication involving messages and gifts over many weeks before assaulting her sexually.
She was coerced with threats to keep the abuse quiet but ultimately reported the matter to police in 2019.
Officer DC Harvey Ahern commented, “I hope this conviction serves to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to seeking justice for victims of rape and sexual assault, no matter how long ago the incident took place.
“Every report we receive will always be investigated thoroughly.
“I wish to thank the victim and witnesses who came forward to support the investigation for their bravery and for their trust in our service.”
