DENNIS WHEREAT FROM PILTON SENTENCED IN TAUNTON FOR GROOMING CHILDREN NEAR STREET
| Red Rose Database
Pilton Child Sexual Abuser
In May 2009, a 75-year-old man named Dennis Whereat, residing in Pilton near Street, was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of grooming children. The case drew significant attention due to his prior convictions and the serious nature of his recent offenses.
According to reports presented at Taunton Crown Court, Whereat had a history of sexual offences involving minors. Despite this, he managed to establish relationships with mothers in his community, which he exploited to gain access to their children. He would often present gifts to these children, a tactic commonly associated with grooming behavior, in an attempt to build trust and manipulate the young victims.
The situation came to light when police officers conducted a routine visit to Whereat’s home. During this visit, they observed a card from a child thanking him for a gift, which raised suspicions. It was during this investigation that authorities uncovered evidence of his breaches of a Sexual Offences Order that had been imposed on him previously.
Prosecutor Janice Eagles explained that the order explicitly prohibited Whereat from having anyone under the age of 16 in his residence and from giving gifts to children under 16. However, it was revealed that he had violated these restrictions multiple times. Specifically, he had approached a woman with young children and a grandmother, inviting them into his home and giving presents to the children. Some of these children had even visited him at his residence.
Ms. Eagles stated, “The Crown say he had started the process of grooming children and was using the mothers to bring the children to his home.” This pattern of behavior indicated a deliberate attempt to manipulate and exploit minors.
During police interviews, Whereat claimed he was unaware that he was breaching the terms of his Sexual Offences Order. His defense lawyer, Alan Large, emphasized that this was his first offence since the order was issued six years prior. The court was informed that there was no evidence of sexual activity, and the judge, Recorder Paul Garlick QC, acknowledged the guilty plea and gave him a reduction of one-third of his sentence.
Despite the leniency, the judge warned that the behavior could have escalated into something far more serious. As a result, Whereat was sentenced to 12 months in prison, with half of that time to be served. The court also took into account 84 days he had already spent in custody. Additionally, the Sexual Offences Order was extended for another four years to prevent further offenses.
Overall, the case highlights the ongoing concerns about grooming and the importance of strict enforcement of protective orders to safeguard vulnerable children in communities like Pilton and Street.
According to reports presented at Taunton Crown Court, Whereat had a history of sexual offences involving minors. Despite this, he managed to establish relationships with mothers in his community, which he exploited to gain access to their children. He would often present gifts to these children, a tactic commonly associated with grooming behavior, in an attempt to build trust and manipulate the young victims.
The situation came to light when police officers conducted a routine visit to Whereat’s home. During this visit, they observed a card from a child thanking him for a gift, which raised suspicions. It was during this investigation that authorities uncovered evidence of his breaches of a Sexual Offences Order that had been imposed on him previously.
Prosecutor Janice Eagles explained that the order explicitly prohibited Whereat from having anyone under the age of 16 in his residence and from giving gifts to children under 16. However, it was revealed that he had violated these restrictions multiple times. Specifically, he had approached a woman with young children and a grandmother, inviting them into his home and giving presents to the children. Some of these children had even visited him at his residence.
Ms. Eagles stated, “The Crown say he had started the process of grooming children and was using the mothers to bring the children to his home.” This pattern of behavior indicated a deliberate attempt to manipulate and exploit minors.
During police interviews, Whereat claimed he was unaware that he was breaching the terms of his Sexual Offences Order. His defense lawyer, Alan Large, emphasized that this was his first offence since the order was issued six years prior. The court was informed that there was no evidence of sexual activity, and the judge, Recorder Paul Garlick QC, acknowledged the guilty plea and gave him a reduction of one-third of his sentence.
Despite the leniency, the judge warned that the behavior could have escalated into something far more serious. As a result, Whereat was sentenced to 12 months in prison, with half of that time to be served. The court also took into account 84 days he had already spent in custody. Additionally, the Sexual Offences Order was extended for another four years to prevent further offenses.
Overall, the case highlights the ongoing concerns about grooming and the importance of strict enforcement of protective orders to safeguard vulnerable children in communities like Pilton and Street.