KEITH PORTER FROM TEMPLECOMBE SENTENCED FOR HISTORIC SEX OFFENCES IN SOMERSET

In December 2017, Keith Porter, a man previously convicted of serious sexual offences, was released from custody after serving part of his sentence. His criminal history, however, remains a stark reminder of the grave crimes he committed in Somerset.

Back in November 2011, Porter, a 51-year-old resident of Templecombe, Somerset, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of a series of historic sexual abuse offences. The charges stemmed from allegations that spanned over a decade, involving a young girl who was under the age of 14 at the time of the offences.

The case was brought to court after a young woman came forward in July 2010, revealing that she had been subjected to sexual abuse by Porter for approximately ten years. This disclosure prompted a swift police investigation, during which authorities seized his computer equipment from his residence in Templecombe. The investigation was conducted meticulously by the High Tech Crime team, who uncovered a disturbing cache of digital material.

It was revealed that Porter’s computer contained approximately 50,000 images of child sexual abuse. Although many of these images had been deleted, experts were able to recover a significant number, providing crucial evidence for the case. The severity of the evidence was compounded by the fact that Porter had also produced indecent images and films involving minors.

At Taunton Crown Court, a jury unanimously convicted Porter of 28 separate offences, including indecent assault on a girl under 13, gross indecency with a child under 14, and the making of indecent images. The judge sentenced him to 13 years in prison, a punishment reflecting the gravity of his crimes. As part of his sentence, Porter was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

Detective Constable Emma Mason, who played a key role in the investigation, was commended by the court for her diligent work. After the sentencing, she stated, “The sentence passed today on Keith Porter is a reflection of the hideous crimes he committed against a young and vulnerable child over a number of years. He abused his position in the home to manipulate a young girl who could not understand what was happening to her.”

Porter’s case remains a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and thorough investigation in uncovering and prosecuting sexual abuse, especially when it involves vulnerable victims and the exploitation of trust within the community of Templecombe and the wider Somerset area.