IAN EVANS FROM WEYMOUTH SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG VICTIMS
| Red Rose Database
Weymouth Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has shocked the community of Weymouth, Ian Garland, also known by the alias Ian Evans, was sentenced in March 2008 to three and a half years in prison after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offences involving minors.
Garland, aged 30 at the time, was found guilty on four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a boy aged 15, as well as two counts of indecent assault against a girl who was 12 and 14 years old at the time of the offences. The crimes came to light during a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court, where Garland appeared to face justice for his actions.
The court was told that Garland, a music teacher residing on Stonechat Close in Weymouth, had committed these acts over a span of several years, with the earliest incidents dating back to December 2000. The judge, Roger Jarvis, described Garland’s conduct as a 'gross breach of trust,' emphasizing the severity and betrayal involved in his abuse of vulnerable young victims.
Prosecutor Robert Griffiths detailed the disturbing nature of Garland’s misconduct. He explained that Garland, who was also a concert pianist, had engaged in inappropriate physical contact with the boy, including kissing, hugging, and performing sexual acts. The boy, whose identity remains protected due to the nature of the crimes, was subjected to these acts between March and September 2006.
Additionally, Garland was accused of using his fingers and a conductor’s baton to sexually touch the female victim during private music lessons held at his home between December 2000 and December 2001. Further allegations revealed that Garland had continued to abuse her during lessons at his parents’ residence from December 2002 to December 2003. Garland was convicted on all counts after the trial at Dorchester Crown Court.
During the sentencing hearing, Garland’s legal representative, Francis Abbot, argued that it might not be appropriate to impose a lifelong ban on Garland associating with minors, citing his youth and potential desire to have children of his own. Abbot also pointed out that Garland was not a trained school teacher and suggested that his behavior might stem from immaturity or a preference for the company of young people.
The female victim was described by Abbot as a 'very level-headed, sensible' girl who had maintained contact with Garland after the offences. He also mentioned the possibility that she might have developed a crush on Garland, which could have influenced her ongoing communication with him.
Regarding the male victim, Abbot noted that he had a website where he admitted to being gay and that Garland had engaged in sexual acts with him when he was just over the age of consent, underlining the complex and troubling nature of the case.
Judge Jarvis, in his sentencing remarks, condemned Garland’s actions, stating, “What you did to these young people in your charge was despicable. It was by any measure a gross breach of trust.” The judge highlighted Garland’s manipulation and grooming of his victims, including his use of chat rooms to contact and engage with young people.
The court sentenced Garland to a total of 42 months in prison for the six charges. Furthermore, Garland was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was disqualified from working with children indefinitely, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes.
Outside the court, Detective Constable Lucy Cummings, the lead investigator in the case, expressed her views on the verdict, stating, “These are serious offences committed by a man in a position of trust and this sentence sends out a very clear message. Hopefully, now, the victims can move on and begin the rest of their lives.”
Garland, aged 30 at the time, was found guilty on four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a boy aged 15, as well as two counts of indecent assault against a girl who was 12 and 14 years old at the time of the offences. The crimes came to light during a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court, where Garland appeared to face justice for his actions.
The court was told that Garland, a music teacher residing on Stonechat Close in Weymouth, had committed these acts over a span of several years, with the earliest incidents dating back to December 2000. The judge, Roger Jarvis, described Garland’s conduct as a 'gross breach of trust,' emphasizing the severity and betrayal involved in his abuse of vulnerable young victims.
Prosecutor Robert Griffiths detailed the disturbing nature of Garland’s misconduct. He explained that Garland, who was also a concert pianist, had engaged in inappropriate physical contact with the boy, including kissing, hugging, and performing sexual acts. The boy, whose identity remains protected due to the nature of the crimes, was subjected to these acts between March and September 2006.
Additionally, Garland was accused of using his fingers and a conductor’s baton to sexually touch the female victim during private music lessons held at his home between December 2000 and December 2001. Further allegations revealed that Garland had continued to abuse her during lessons at his parents’ residence from December 2002 to December 2003. Garland was convicted on all counts after the trial at Dorchester Crown Court.
During the sentencing hearing, Garland’s legal representative, Francis Abbot, argued that it might not be appropriate to impose a lifelong ban on Garland associating with minors, citing his youth and potential desire to have children of his own. Abbot also pointed out that Garland was not a trained school teacher and suggested that his behavior might stem from immaturity or a preference for the company of young people.
The female victim was described by Abbot as a 'very level-headed, sensible' girl who had maintained contact with Garland after the offences. He also mentioned the possibility that she might have developed a crush on Garland, which could have influenced her ongoing communication with him.
Regarding the male victim, Abbot noted that he had a website where he admitted to being gay and that Garland had engaged in sexual acts with him when he was just over the age of consent, underlining the complex and troubling nature of the case.
Judge Jarvis, in his sentencing remarks, condemned Garland’s actions, stating, “What you did to these young people in your charge was despicable. It was by any measure a gross breach of trust.” The judge highlighted Garland’s manipulation and grooming of his victims, including his use of chat rooms to contact and engage with young people.
The court sentenced Garland to a total of 42 months in prison for the six charges. Furthermore, Garland was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was disqualified from working with children indefinitely, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes.
Outside the court, Detective Constable Lucy Cummings, the lead investigator in the case, expressed her views on the verdict, stating, “These are serious offences committed by a man in a position of trust and this sentence sends out a very clear message. Hopefully, now, the victims can move on and begin the rest of their lives.”