GARRY STONE EXETER LAW FIRM PAEDOPHILE SHOCKER
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Exeter community, Garry Stone, a 40-year-old former employee of a prominent Exeter law firm, has been convicted of a series of serious sexual offences involving minors.The crimes, which span several years, include disturbing acts of indecency, sexual assault, and the possession of indecent images of children, all committed while he was employed at Michelmores, a well-known law firm based in Exeter.
Stone, who resided on John Levers Way in Exeter, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to 14 separate charges.
His offences include the heinous act of observing a girl under the age of 13 undressing and recording that act in August 2009.
This was just one of many allegations that detailed his predatory behavior over a period of years.
The court also heard that between 2010 and 2011, Stone incited a girl to expose herself on a webcam, under circumstances where he did not reasonably believe she was 16 or older.
Further charges revealed that Stone engaged in sexual activity in the presence of a girl under 16, and he was also found guilty of intentionally touching a girl under 16 in a sexual manner, recording the act, and encouraging her to touch him, which he also recorded.
These acts, all involving minors, paint a disturbing picture of his conduct.
Additionally, Stone admitted to possessing a significant number of indecent photographs and videos of children, with police grading the images from level one to level five based on their severity.
Specifically, he was found to have made 43 images at level one, seven at level two, 17 at level three, and 16 at level four.
He also took four level one digital images of a child, and possessed six prohibited images of children.
The offences occurred over a span from 2009 to 2012, highlighting a prolonged period of criminal activity.
The court also ordered that Stone be placed on a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) indefinitely, and he will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for an unspecified, indefinite period.
These measures are designed to monitor and restrict his activities moving forward, reflecting the severity of his crimes.
In a statement, Colette Stevens, the HR director of Michelmores, expressed her shock and dismay at the revelations.
She stated, “Garry Stone was employed at Michelmores in Exeter as a database administrator.
He left before Christmas 2012.
We are naturally shocked by this news and will not be making any further comment.” Prior to sentencing, Stone was released on conditional bail, which included restrictions such as not contacting certain witnesses, avoiding contact with any child under 16 unless supervised, and registering with police.
The sentencing hearing took place at Exeter Crown Court earlier this month, where the judge handed down the prison sentence along with the indefinite SOPO and registration requirements, underscoring the gravity of his offences and the community’s need for protection.
