DENNIS BULLARD OF WIVENHOE SENTENCED FOR HISTORIC SEX OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS

In a case that has shocked the community of Wivenhoe and the surrounding areas, Dennis Bullard, aged 73, has been convicted and sentenced for a series of serious sexual offences committed against two young girls during the 1980s. The sentencing took place at Chelmsford Crown Court, where the judge imposed a substantial prison term, reflecting the gravity of the crimes and their lasting impact on the victims.

Bullard, a resident of Chaney Drive in Wivenhoe, was found guilty of 10 counts related to indecent assault on children under the age of 13. He had previously pleaded guilty to these charges, which stemmed from a pattern of grooming and abuse that spanned over a decade. The court heard that Bullard targeted two young girls, grooming them with the false promise of providing sexual education, a tactic he used to manipulate and exploit them.

The first victim, who was only eight years old at the time, recounted how the abuse began. Prosecutor Stephen Rose detailed that the girl remembered receiving what she believed was 'internal sex education' at school. Bullard then engaged her in inappropriate conversations, claiming he could teach her more about sex than her school lessons. This marked the start of her grooming process, during which Bullard would often take her for drives and walks. On one such occasion, she described feeling cold and being asked to place her hand in Bullard’s trouser pocket. She was startled to feel his exposed penis and recalled that he moved her hand up and down on it. The victim also described an incident where Bullard laughed and told her she would 'learn to enjoy this,' a comment that underscored his manipulative attitude.

The second victim came into contact with Bullard in the late 1980s. She vividly remembered an incident where he asked her, 'Are you enjoying this?' during an assault. Her abuse ended when she was 11 years old, but the emotional scars remain deeply ingrained to this day.

Judge David Pugh sentenced Bullard to 10 years in prison, with an additional four years on extended licence. Furthermore, Bullard will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which aims to restrict his contact with potential victims and monitor his behavior post-release. The judge emphasized the lasting impact of Bullard’s actions, stating that the effects on the victims would persist throughout their lives.

In his remarks, Judge Pugh acknowledged that Bullard had no previous convictions and that the offences occurred over 25 years ago. However, he expressed concern over the prolonged period during which the abuse took place and the multiple occasions on which it occurred. The judge also criticized Bullard for minimizing the seriousness of his actions and attempting to shift some blame onto the victims. He concluded that Bullard poses a significant risk of causing further harm to young girls and that his offending behavior warrants strict sentencing to protect the public.