DEAN FAULKNER'S HORRIFIC CHILD SEX ABUSE IN COLWYN BAY AND WOOTTON BASSETT

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Colwyn Bay and Wootton Bassett, former Royal Air Force (RAF) sergeant Dean Faulkner has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses involving minors. The crimes, spanning over a decade, include multiple instances of rape and indecent assault, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior that has left lasting scars on his victims.

Faulkner, aged 46 at the time of sentencing, was based at RAF Lyneham during the period when the abuse took place, and he was residing in Wootton Bassett. His criminal activities reportedly began in 1997 and continued until 2009, involving at least three young victims. The details of his offenses were laid out in court by prosecutor James Newton-Price, who described how Faulkner initially befriended the first victim, a girl who was only 12 years old at the time.

According to the prosecution, Faulkner's initial approach appeared to be manipulative, as he gained the trust of the young girl by telling her she was special. However, this facade quickly unraveled as he began to sexually abuse her. The abuse escalated over the years, with Faulkner raping her approximately ten times after she turned 14. During this period, he also forced her to perform other sexual acts, which continued until she was around 16 or 17 and started dating boys. The court heard that Faulkner's actions left deep psychological scars, with the victim only able to speak out after he was away from the area.

His predatory behavior did not stop there. Faulkner then turned his attention to another girl, beginning his abuse when she was just 11 years old in 2004. This continued until 2009, when she was 15 and Faulkner had moved away from Wootton Bassett. The final known incident involved Faulkner sexually abusing a boy around New Year’s Day in 2009. Prosecutor Newton-Price emphasized that Faulkner initially treated his victims well, falsely claiming they were special, before resorting to threats to silence them as they resisted his advances.

One of the victims, after Faulkner's departure from the area, found the courage to report the abuse to authorities. Once the first girl disclosed her experiences, the other victims also came forward, revealing the extent of Faulkner’s misconduct. Faulkner, who now resides in Colwyn Bay, Wales, initially pleaded not guilty to all charges but changed his plea to guilty before the jury was sworn in. Despite his plea, he later attempted to revert to not guilty, but this was not pursued.

He admitted to multiple counts of rape, including more than one incident, as well as three counts of indecent assault, two counts of sexual assault, and two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child. He denied one count of rape. His defense lawyer, Chris Smyth, argued that Faulkner had begun to acknowledge his wrongdoings and had been using his time in custody to address his issues. Smyth also highlighted that Faulkner has a family and is currently working as an electrician, though restrictions on his liberty post-release would make domestic work difficult.

Judge Douglas Field, presiding over the case, described the severity and duration of Faulkner’s offenses, emphasizing the betrayal of trust and the lasting harm inflicted on his victims. The judge stated, “This offending went on for a considerable amount of time. In effect, you corrupted her to satisfy your own perverted sexual desires. All the while, you were prevailing on her to keep it a secret.” The judge further noted that the psychological damage to all three victims would be enduring.

In addition to the prison sentence, Faulkner was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits him from having contact with children unless their parents are aware of his past. The order will remain in effect until further notice. He is also banned from working with children and is required to register as a sex offender for life. A restraining order was also issued, barring him from any contact with the victims or their families.

Earlier, in June 2013, Faulkner had pleaded guilty to similar charges, including multiple counts of rape and sexual assault, relating to offenses committed between 1997 and 2009. Prosecutors decided not to pursue a trial on one of the charges after speaking with the first victim. During that period, Faulkner’s victims ranged in age from 11 to 18, with some assaults occurring in Royal Wootton Bassett and others in Wootton Bassett itself. His guilty plea included admissions to multiple incidents of rape, indecent assault, and sexual activity with a minor.

His defense acknowledged that Faulkner was aware of the serious nature of his crimes and accepted that he faced a lengthy jail term. The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report, and Faulkner was remanded in custody. Judge Euan Ambrose made it clear that the purpose of the remand was solely for sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of the offenses and the need for appropriate punishment.