DAVID WERNHAM/ COLLINS HELENSBURGH PERVERT SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF VULNERABLE 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In August 2017, a disturbing case emerged from Helensburgh involving a man named David Wernham, also known by the alias Collins, who was convicted of heinous crimes against a young girl with severe learning difficulties. Wernham, a former employee at a local charity shop in Helensburgh, was found guilty of engaging in sexual acts with the vulnerable 13-year-old girl and subsequently taking explicit photographs of the abuse.

Wernham, aged 51 and a veteran of the Gulf War, had initially claimed that his outings with the girl involved metal detection activities. However, the truth was far more sinister. The police investigation revealed that Wernham had taken numerous explicit images of the girl during the period between July 2015 and February 2016. His distinctive tattoos made it possible for authorities to identify him in the photographs, which included hundreds of indecent images of the victim.

The court heard that Wernham had exploited the girl’s vulnerability, lavishing her with gifts such as toys, teddy bears, and trainers to manipulate her into compliance. His relationship with her developed after he met her at the charity shop he managed in Helensburgh. The girl’s family became aware of the abuse when she confided in a relative about her ordeal, prompting a police investigation.

When law enforcement officers raided Wernham’s residence, they initially discovered 311 indecent images of children stored on his devices. Further examination uncovered a folder containing an additional 565 explicit photographs of the 13-year-old girl, some depicting her being sexually abused by Wernham himself. During questioning, Wernham attempted to downplay the severity of his actions, claiming that the handcuffs used on the girl were toy ones obtained from a dressing-up box at his charity shop.

Wernham appeared before the High Court in Glasgow, where he pleaded guilty to charges of rape and possession of indecent images. The presiding judge, Lord Beckett, condemned his actions, describing them as a clear case of sexual exploitation involving depravity. The judge emphasized that the girl was unable to consent due to her learning difficulties and that Wernham’s conduct warranted a severe penalty.

In sentencing, Lord Beckett sentenced Wernham to seven and a half years in prison. He also ordered that Wernham be placed under supervision for an additional three years upon his release. The court noted that Wernham’s family had since distanced themselves from him, reflecting the gravity of his crimes. Furthermore, Wernham will be registered on the sex offenders list indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to protect the community from further harm.