KEITH TAYLOR BIDEFORD MONSTER ABUSE VICTIM'S HEARTBREAKING MESSAGE AT EXETER CROWN COURT

In a deeply emotional and harrowing courtroom scene at Exeter Crown Court, a survivor of child abuse summoned extraordinary courage to confront his past and speak out against the man who shattered his childhood. The victim, now in his 30s, detailed the profound and lasting impact of the abuse he endured at the hands of Keith Taylor, a man with a troubling history of sexual offenses.

Keith Taylor, aged 58 and residing on Glendale Terrace in Bideford, was found guilty of multiple counts of indecent assault following a lengthy investigation. The court heard that Taylor had subjected the young boy to a series of sexual assaults between the ages of five and eight, incidents that occurred while the boy was staying with Taylor and his wife in Barnstaple. This arrangement was made when the boy’s mother was working night shifts, trusting Taylor and his wife to look after her children.

The victim, who chose to speak publicly in court, read a powerful victim impact statement that revealed the deep scars left by Taylor’s actions. He described how the abuse robbed him of his innocence and left him distrustful of adults, including his own mother. “It is hard to put into words 20 odd years of torment,” he said. “Keith stole my innocence and my chance to be a child. I questioned every contact with adults and their motivation.”

He addressed Taylor directly, expressing the emotional toll of the abuse. “This is to you, Keith. You made me question who I was as a person and to question my sexuality. I was a child. I should have been out playing football with no cares in the world,” he stated. The survivor also accused Taylor of continuing his life unscathed while his own childhood was stolen. “You were able to carry on with your life while mine stopped. Even as an early adult I had a huge chip on my shoulder,” he added. The victim emphasized that Taylor, entrusted by his mother, betrayed that trust in the most heinous way, and he questioned whether Taylor’s motives were driven by a desire for gratification or a twisted need for power.

He described Taylor’s actions as the “unthinkable,” and labeled him a “monster” who has shown no remorse for his crimes. The abuse included disguised sexual assaults under the guise of massages, as well as more invasive acts such as climbing into bed naked with the bewildered child and simulating sex. These acts, the victim explained, left a lasting impact that he buried for nearly three decades before finally coming forward.

The case was brought to light in 2019 after the victim, walking past Taylor’s home with his mother, recognized him and was prompted to recall the abuse. The police investigation followed, leading to Taylor’s arrest and subsequent admission of guilt. His criminal record includes convictions for offenses against boys predating and following these incidents, including indecent assault on a ten-year-old in 1979 and sexual assaults on two 11-year-olds in 2005.

During sentencing, Recorder Mr. Simon Levene sentenced Taylor to five years and four months in prison. The judge expressed his condemnation of Taylor’s actions, stating, “You got away with it for many, many years. You destroyed the confidence which any young person needs when they are growing up.” The court acknowledged the victim’s bravery in coming forward and reading his statement, which was met with respect and solemnity from all present.

Mr. Richard Crabb, prosecuting, confirmed that the offenses occurred in the mid-1990s, when the victim was between five and eight years old, and that the abuse only came to light in 2019. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and the courage required for victims to speak out against their abusers, regardless of how much time has passed.