DAVID TILLEY SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN TIVERTON AND WESTBURY

In a harrowing case that has shocked the communities of Tiverton and Westbury, a 67-year-old man named David Tilley has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offences committed against a young girl nearly two decades ago.

The victim, who was only five years old at the time, endured a prolonged period of abuse at the hands of Tilley, who had groomed her from a very young age while she was living in Tiverton. Over the course of approximately ten years, Tilley committed numerous sexual assaults, including acts of rape and indecent assault, which left the girl deeply traumatized.

Despite the severity of the allegations, Tilley initially denied all eight charges brought against him, which included rape and indecent assault. However, after a thorough trial at Exeter Crown Court, the jury reached a unanimous verdict of guilty on all counts. The court heard that the victim was so distressed by her experiences that she kept her suffering hidden for many years, unable to disclose the abuse until she was finally compelled to do so in 2015 due to the overwhelming psychological burden.

During the sentencing hearing, Tilley appeared in court to face the consequences of his actions. The judge, Erik Salomonsen, did not hold back in condemning Tilley’s conduct, describing him as someone who used the victim solely for his own sexual gratification. The judge emphasized the courage of the victim, who was forced to relive her painful memories and testify in court despite her trauma.

Judge Salomonsen remarked, “You are 67 years old and come before the court following your conviction on a unanimous verdict of the jury for eight counts of sexual offending against your victim. You used the victim for your own sexual gratification.”

The court was informed that Tilley, who now resides in Westbury, Wiltshire, had contributed little to society over the years, having spent much of his life on benefits. The judge highlighted that the victim’s silence at the time was due to her young age and fear, and that she only reported the abuse after years of suffering, which had a devastating impact on her life.

In a poignant statement read out in court, the victim expressed how the abuse had profoundly affected her, stating, “What happened to me as a child has messed my whole life up.” She also revealed that she had felt so hopeless at times that she no longer wanted to live. The judge acknowledged the long-lasting effects of such abuse, noting, “Her words show the dramatic and devastating effect such conduct has on children subjected to abuse and how they grow into adulthood.”

As a result of his conviction, Tilley was sentenced to 14 years in prison, a punishment that reflects the gravity of his crimes and the profound impact on his victim. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children and the enduring scars left by sexual abuse.