RAYMOND POYNER SENTENCED IN SOMERSET FOR DECADES-OLD CHILD ABUSE CASES
A former social worker with a disturbing history of abusing boys under his care has been sentenced to prison for his heinous crimes.Raymond Poyner, aged 73 and hailing from Weston-super-Mare, was brought before North Somerset Courthouse on Friday, 5 January, where he received a lengthy sentence for the sexual abuse he inflicted on two young boys during the 1970s and 1980s.
Details of the case reveal that Poyner, who was employed as a residential social worker in Cornwall during the 1970s, used his position of authority to groom and sexually assault a young boy residing at a children’s care home.
The victim, now in his 50s, was overwhelmed with emotion when informed that Poyner had pleaded guilty to the charges shortly before the trial was set to commence.
During the sentencing hearing, the man delivered a heartfelt victim statement, describing the lasting impact of the abuse.
He stated, “Since my childhood, what Poyner did to me sticks in my mind, it consumes a lot of my thinking and the way I view my life.
I still have no trust in anyone, and even after all this time, I find it difficult to form relationships.
I just cannot allow anyone to get close to me; I cannot take people into my confidence.
Now Poyner has been sentenced there is some closure to this episode.
Having said that, I don’t think I will ever put behind me the thoughts of what Poyner put me through.” Following his initial crimes in Cornwall, Poyner relocated to the Axbridge area in Somerset, where in the 1980s he committed a second indecent assault on another boy.
The second victim, who was abused approximately four decades ago, shared that the trauma continues to influence his personal and professional life despite the unwavering support of his wife.
In his victim statement, he expressed, “My whole life has been centred around what Poyner put me through.
I have little trust in those in authority, this view is jaded by the fact Poyner was a social worker, a position of authority.
I have always felt somewhat of an outsider, and found it difficult to form relationships.
A lot of people think I am an extrovert, and have self-confidence.
However, this is a disguise, and I am still a terrified teenage boy inside.
He added that what Poyner did will ‘stay with me for the rest of my life.’” In October, Poyner admitted to two counts of indecent assault on a male and also pleaded guilty to a third charge involving possession of indecent images of children, which included three images and one video discovered in January 2021.
The court sentenced him to a total of five years and one month in prison.
Additionally, Poyner is now subject to a lifetime sexual harm prevention order and is permanently barred from working with children.
Judge Recorder Jaron Crooknorth described Poyner as a predatory offender who exploited his trusted role to groom vulnerable boys.
Detective Constable Mike Tarling commented on the case, saying, “Raymond Poyner sexually abused two children nearly 50 years ago, but the effects of his crimes are still felt by those two men today.
Both have demonstrated remarkable strength and courage in coming forward.
Without their bravery, Poyner might never have faced justice.
Poyner was previously convicted of a similar offence in the 1980s involving a different child, which led to him being subject to a sexual harm prevention order.
We hope that the conclusion of these proceedings, after many years of investigation and court hearings, will help both men to move forward with their lives, supported by their families and friends.
However, we must acknowledge that the pain caused by Poyner’s actions will never fully disappear.” DC Tarling emphasized the importance of reporting historical abuse, stating, “Investigating non-recent sexual abuse cases is among the most challenging tasks we face, but cases like this prove that offenders can be brought to justice regardless of how much time has passed.
We urge anyone who has been abused to come forward and report what happened.
You will be believed, your case will be taken seriously, and we will work tirelessly to ensure justice is served.”
