MAURICE BUTTON AND SHOCKING CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN HOLSWORTHY AND EXETER

A man named Maurice Button, aged 69, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term following his conviction for a series of grave sexual offences committed against children over the course of nearly four decades. The criminal proceedings against Button revealed disturbing details about his predatory actions, which span many years and involve vulnerable young victims.

The case reached a pivotal moment when the trial at Exeter Crown Court was abruptly interrupted as Maurice Button vanished midway through the proceedings. The court was hearing evidence against him relating to offences committed against two girls, aged just eight and twelve at the time of the crimes. Court officials and police rapidly issued a search for the defendant, who had become a fugitive. Despite the efforts, he remained missing for several days.

It was later established that Maurice Button voluntarily surrendered himself over the weekend. His decision to come forward came after a period of disappearance, and he was subsequently found guilty by a jury of seven separate criminal charges. The trial uncovered a pattern of grooming and sexual abuse carried out by Button over many years, with the most severe incidents involving unlawful sexual intercourse and indecent assault against the victims.

During the sentencing hearing, one of the young women bravely addressed the court, fighting back tears as she spoke of how the abuse inflicted upon her has affected her life. She explained that for many years she had tried to suppress her painful memories, locking them away deep inside her mind. However, gaining the courage to confront her trauma, she decided to speak out and bring her abuser to justice.

In her emotional statement, she told Button directly: "I tried to forget over the years. I boxed you up and put you to the back of my head and threw away the key." She emphasized her feelings of liberation, stating, "I will go today knowing I fought my demons and won with the support of family, friends and the police." Her testimony underscored the long-lasting impact of his actions and her personal journey toward healing.

The judge, Judge David Evans, sentenced Maurice Button to a term of 13 years in prison for the offences he was found guilty of. In addition, he is required to serve an extra year on extended licence afterward. The court heard that six of the charges pertained to the older girl, with allegations that Button manipulated her over a two-week period by fostering a facade of friendliness and fun. He showered her with praise, making her believe she was special, while secretly perpetrating repeated indecent acts and engaging in unlawful sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 13.

The court established that Button, who often appeared outgoing and personable, was in fact a calculated predator. His manipulative manner served as a tool to gain the trust of vulnerable children, allowing him to carry out his sinister deeds unchecked for years.

The second victim, also one of his young survivors, recounted her own struggle to suppress the memories of her abuse. She described that, at just eight years old, she was subjected to an act of gross indecency. Her emotional statement highlighted the profound trauma she endured and the toll it took on her mental health. She revealed that she had considered suicide as a means of escaping her painful past but expressed that, since coming forward, her entire family has been proud of her for her bravery.

Both victims expressed outrage and shame towards Button, condemning his actions and the shame he has brought upon himself. One victim remarked, "Your picture will be in the local paper showing the sick and perverted paedophile you are." These words reflect the widespread disdain and condemnation of his criminal acts.

It was also revealed that Maurice Button has a criminal history. Notably, in 1995, he was convicted and served six months imprisonment for indecently assaulting a child. Despite this, he continued his offending behavior decades later, demonstrating a troubling pattern of predatory conduct.

Defense attorney Ms. Virginia Cornwall stated that since his earlier conviction, Button had maintained a clean record and had been happily married for 20 years. She also mentioned that he is suffering from diabetes and that incarceration would be particularly challenging for him.

In a dramatic turn during the trial, on the Wednesday of last week, Button was scheduled to give evidence in his own defence. Instead, he unexpectedly left the court building at lunchtime, changed into different clothes, and drove away. Police responded promptly, issuing an appeal for his whereabouts. Witnesses last saw him disembarking from a bus in Sidmouth High Street at approximately 2:45 pm.

Despite some delays, the trial proceeded in his absence, and he was later found to have voluntarily turned himself in over the weekend. Judge Evans remarked that perhaps the defendant’s disappearance was inevitable, considering he had little to eat and no safe place to go. The judge further condemned Button’s actions, stating, "You were avoiding overwhelming evidence against you in this trial. It was a deliberate attempt to evade or delay justice."

Explaining the sentencing, Judge Evans emphasized that the evidence clearly proved Maurice Button's LPED and sexual interest in young girls. He noted that using his reputation for friendliness and fun, Button exploited his position to groom his victims, beginning with the eight-year-old girl when he was 28 years old. The judge highlighted that the child’s age and Button’s confidence likely made it difficult for the victims to report the abuse at the time.

The judge explained that the repercussions of Button’s offending have cascaded through the years, causing profound trauma to his victims. The sentences available under the law in 2021 are more severe than in previous decades, but the judge made allowances for the historical context when determining the total punishment.

Maurice Button is required to serve at least half of his 13-year sentence, after which he will be considered for parole. Upon completion of his prison term, he will be subject to a further year on license, monitoring his behavior and ensuring compliance with court orders.