JIM DARGAVEL FROM CHIPPENHAM SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF TEENAGE BOYS

In August 2013, a disturbing case emerged from Chippenham involving Jim Dargavel, a 70-year-old man who was convicted of serious sexual offenses against two teenage boys. Dargavel, a widower with a history of community involvement, including serving on the Parent-Teacher Association at John Bentley School in Calne and volunteering at Trowbridge Town, was sentenced to five years in prison after a trial at Swindon Crown Court.

The case revealed a pattern of predatory behavior that spanned several years, during which Dargavel exploited his position and the trust placed in him by vulnerable youths. The first victim, who was only 15 at the time, recounted how he and other boys from the Chippenham area would frequently visit Dargavel’s flat during the mid to late 1990s. These visits often involved alcohol and cigarettes, which Dargavel supplied. The boy would sometimes pass out from intoxication, especially after being persuaded to stay back 'for one more drink' while his friends left. On at least five occasions, he awoke to find Dargavel, then in his 50s, sexually assaulting him. The victim described feeling too weak to resist during these assaults, which left a lasting impact on his life.

The second victim, who was 17 at the time, had met Dargavel at a pub around the turn of the millennium. After sharing a drink, he agreed to go to Dargavel’s flat for what he thought would be a casual visit. Before heading there, he took an ecstasy tablet, seeking to enhance the experience. Like the first victim, he passed out and later woke to find himself being sexually abused. Despite his initial shock, he managed to fight off Dargavel and fled the scene, feeling physically sick from the ordeal.

Throughout the trial, Dargavel maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to charges of indecent assault on a child under 16 and indecent assault. He argued that the allegations made by his now adult victims, who are in their late 20s, were false and that the incidents never occurred. His defense team, led by Simon Burns, described him as 'an old fool' and urged the court to consider a community sentence rather than imprisonment, citing his previous good character and community service.

Burns highlighted Dargavel’s military background, noting his six years of service in the army and six in the reserves, from which he received an honorable discharge. He also pointed out Dargavel’s employment history, including qualifying as a bus driver and contributing to community projects, such as his work with the PTA and involvement in amateur dramatics in Bradford on Avon. A character witness, Michael Davies, a retired lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy, described Dargavel as 'a very decent caring individual who wants to help people.'

However, Judge Euan Ambrose was unpersuaded by these arguments. Addressing the court, he referenced the statement from the younger victim, who said that being sexually assaulted by Dargavel 'completely messed up his life.' The judge emphasized the seriousness of the offenses, stating, 'I do not accept the submission that these were totally opportunistic. This was repeat offending with a number of aggravating features.'

In light of the evidence and the gravity of the crimes, Judge Ambrose sentenced Dargavel to five years in prison and imposed a ban on him working with children in the future. The court made it clear that such offenses are so severe that only immediate custody was appropriate, reflecting the profound impact on the victims and the need for justice to be served.