NIGEL BARGERY FROM CHARD SENTENCED TO SIX AND A HALF YEARS FOR CHILD SEXUAL OFFENCES AND POSSESSION OF OVER 2,500 INDECENT IMAGES

In a case that has shocked the community of Chard and surrounding areas, Nigel Stephen Bargery, a 54-year-old resident of Langdon Close in Chard, has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison for a series of serious sexual offences committed against two young girls under the age of 13. The sentencing took place at Taunton Crown Court, where Bargery pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to his heinous actions.

Between October 2011 and August 2013, Bargery engaged in a pattern of abusive behavior towards the two victims, which included eight counts of sexual touching of a child under 13, two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13, and six counts of creating indecent images of children. These offences were carried out at various properties in Taunton and Bridgwater, and the crimes were first reported to police in late summer 2013, prompting a thorough investigation.

Detective Constable Darren Lipscomb, who led the investigation, described Bargery as a manipulative and devious individual. He explained that Bargery exploited the trust of the young girls over an extended period, carefully manipulating circumstances to ensure he could be alone with them. This prolonged abuse caused significant trauma to the victims, who showed remarkable resilience in coming forward.

Following Bargery’s arrest, authorities conducted searches of his vehicle and residence. During these searches, a number of computers and electronic devices were seized for examination. The High-Tech Crime Unit analyzed the digital evidence and discovered more than 2,500 indecent images of children stored on his devices. Some of these images were classified at the highest levels of seriousness, indicating the severity of the material involved.

Although Bargery did not admit to the sexual offences during police interviews, he ultimately entered guilty pleas in court, reflecting the strength of the evidence against him. The court’s decision to impose a six-and-a-half-year sentence underscores the gravity of his crimes and the impact on the victims. Detective Lipscomb expressed his appreciation for the victims’ courage in speaking out about their experiences and noted that their testimonies spared them the additional trauma of testifying in court.