GERALD NORSWORTHY'S HORRIFIC CHILD SEX ABUSE IN GOODRINGTON AND PAIGNTON REVEALED

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Goodrington and Paignton, Gerald Norsworthy, a man once employed as a service manager at a prominent Ford dealership in Torbay, has been convicted of heinous child sexual abuse spanning over three decades. The details of his crimes, which include child rape and multiple counts of indecent assault, were laid bare during a lengthy trial at Exeter Crown Court.

Gerald Frank Norsworthy, aged 60 at the time of sentencing, faced a jury that heard how his abuse began as early as 1976. The court was told that Norsworthy, who resided on Kingsway Avenue in Goodrington, had systematically targeted young girls over the years, exploiting their innocence for his own depraved purposes. His criminal activities persisted until 2006, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior that lasted for more than 30 years.

The court proceedings revealed that Norsworthy would often lure his victims with gifts and money, employing a manipulative strategy to silence them and prevent disclosure of his actions. One of the most disturbing revelations was that between 1981 and 1983, he raped one of his victims on a kitchen floor, an act that exemplifies the severity of his offenses. The abuse was not limited to isolated incidents but was a continuous pattern of exploitation and assault.

The case came to light when one of the victims, during a visit to a neighbor, inadvertently disclosed her ordeal. Her mother, upon hearing her daughter's account, promptly contacted the police, leading to the investigation that uncovered the full extent of Norsworthy’s crimes.

During the trial, Norsworthy, who was formerly known to reside on Kingsway Avenue, pleaded not guilty to all charges, which included one count of rape, seven counts of indecent assault, and six counts of sexual assault. The jury, however, found him guilty on all but two charges of indecent assault, which the judge directed should be acquitted of. Norsworthy maintained his innocence throughout, claiming that the allegations were fabricated by the girls and that no inappropriate conduct had ever taken place.

Judge Jeremy Griggs sentenced Norsworthy to nine years in prison, emphasizing the gravity of his crimes and the betrayal of trust involved. The judge also ordered Norsworthy to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and imposed an indefinite ban on working with children. Furthermore, he was prohibited from associating with any child under the age of 17 in public unless supervised.

In his remarks, Judge Griggs condemned Norsworthy’s actions, stating, “You were found guilty by the jury of serious sex offences and there is no mitigation. You subjected your victims to the painful ordeal of having to come to court and give evidence. You have shattered and ruined their lives. You groomed your victims with alcohol and monetary bribes in payment for sexual favours. In one case, it went as far as rape and one of your victims has had to live with what happened to her for 30 years. All this offending was a clear breach of trust.”