DOMINIC PURVIS FROM EXETER AND WELLINGTON FACES LONG JAIL TERM FOR GROOMING AND ABUSE OF GIRLS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Exeter and Wellington, Dominic Purvis, a man with a troubling past, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual exploitation of young girls. The court heard how Purvis, who was already a registered sex offender, went to great lengths to conceal his identity and past, using a false name to ingratiate himself with a vulnerable single mother and her children.

Purvis adopted the alias 'Dominic James' to hide his true identity and to avoid detection. His deception was only uncovered when he was arrested for downloading additional indecent images online. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that he had exchanged numerous chat messages with other paedophiles across the globe, sharing disturbing fantasies and images. One chilling message read, “I like six to 12 best,” indicating his preference for young children.

He initially presented himself as a successful entertainer and DJ, performing under the stage name Teya Sue, and sometimes dressed as a woman during his performances. His involvement in the entertainment industry spanned Devon and Somerset, and he was even hired for a police disco event. At the time of the offences in 2013, he was also working as a cook at the Barn Owl pub in Exeter. Despite his public persona, his true intentions were far more sinister.

Purvis, aged 47 and residing on Gay Street in Wellington, was convicted on multiple counts, including three charges of distributing indecent images of children, two charges of creating such images, and eight counts of sexual assault against three young sisters. The offences also included two violations of the sex offenders’ register, which he failed to update when he stayed at the victim’s home in East Devon. The judge, Erik Salomonsen, sentenced him to 14 years in prison with an extended four-year licence, emphasizing the severity and prolonged nature of his offending.

The mother of the girls, who was present in the courtroom, expressed her horror and distress, shouting “rot in hell” as Purvis was led away. She described her feelings of sickness upon discovering the truth about Purvis’s manipulative and predatory behavior. The court was told that Purvis had abused the girls during intimate moments such as bedtime and tickling games, secretly taking photographs of one girl as she slept and groping another as she prepared for the Devon County Show. He also used threatening language, telling the children he would kill them, their pet dog, or their mother if they revealed his actions, which kept the girls silent out of fear until after his arrest.

During the trial, Purvis denied all allegations, claiming he had no sexual interest in young girls and that he had never touched the sisters inappropriately. He insisted that the accusations were false. However, evidence from police searches revealed thousands of images depicting child abuse on his computers, along with chat logs showing exchanges with other paedophiles and discussions of abusing young girls. Purvis also claimed that other individuals might have used his devices, but investigators found his email addresses linked to the messages.

His criminal history includes a previous conviction from Bristol Crown Court in 2006 for possessing indecent images of children, which contributed to his status on the sex offenders’ register. The court also noted a prior conviction from 2003 for fraud and creating false documents. The judge highlighted the dangerous and predatory nature of Purvis’s conduct, stating that he posed a significant risk to children and that his actions demonstrated a disturbing obsession with young girls. The court ordered a report to assess whether he should be subject to an extended sentence, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the threat he continues to pose.

Throughout the proceedings, the victim’s mother described her feelings of revulsion and helplessness, emphasizing the profound impact of Purvis’s actions on her family. The case has left a lasting scar on the community, raising concerns about the effectiveness of existing safeguards and the importance of vigilant monitoring of known offenders. As Purvis prepares for sentencing next month, the case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals who manipulate trust and conceal their true intentions behind a facade of normalcy.