RHYS YOUNG FROM DEVIZES AND TROWBRIDGE JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE IN DEVIZES

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of Devizes and Trowbridge, Rhys Young, a 49-year-old theatre director, has been sentenced to two years and four months in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy. The offences took place over a period starting in August 2006 and continued until March 19 of this year, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior that has now been brought to justice.

Young’s criminal history includes a previous conviction from a decade ago for similar offences involving a young boy, which underscores a troubling pattern of misconduct. Following his latest conviction, the court also imposed a lifelong ban on Young working with children, along with a requirement for him to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Additionally, a sexual offences prevention order was issued to restrict his liberty further.

The case emerged from the fact that Young, who was involved with the Eklypse theatre company in Devizes, met his young victim when the boy was just 13 years old. The prosecution, led by Colin Meeke, detailed how the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had a troubled background and developed a friendship with Young during this period. The relationship between the two was reportedly close, with the boy visiting Young’s home on numerous occasions.

The disturbing details of the abuse surfaced when the victim, now 14, asked Young to take a photograph of him for a social networking profile. What was intended as a simple photo session turned into a traumatic event when Young ended up exposing the boy’s genitals, leading to a series of sexual acts and indecent touches over the following months. During this period, Young would buy the boy various items, including tobacco, beer, and money, further manipulating and grooming him.

The abuse reportedly ceased when the boy acquired a girlfriend, and the two fell out. The revelation of the offences, however, came unexpectedly when Young himself approached the police, claiming he wanted to report a theft and confess to another crime. He expressed fears that the victim and his flatmate were planning to blackmail him, which prompted his confession. This admission led to the discovery of the sexual abuse.

Young admitted to seven counts of sexual activity with a child, including performing a sex act and indecently touching the boy, as well as causing the child to watch a sexual act by showing him explicit images and creating an indecent image of a child. He denied three other allegations involving inciting activity and paying a child for sexual services. The court also noted that Young had previously been convicted in 1996 of two counts of indecent assault on a male under 16 at Warwick Crown Court.

During the sentencing, Judge Douglas Field emphasized the nature of the relationship, stating, “Though there was no specific grooming, there is no doubt that you extended friendship to this young teenager and there were presents and the like, which allowed you to carry out these acts to gratify your sexual needs.” The judge acknowledged that Young’s position of authority within the theatre group played a role in facilitating the abuse, even though the sexual activity did not occur while he was in a formal position of authority.

Neil Saunders, defending Young, argued that the offences came to light through Young’s own confession and that at no point did the victim not consent to what happened. He also pointed out that Young had shown friendship to many young people through his theatre work and was suffering from depression following a breakup at the time of the offences.

In addition to his prison sentence, Young was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, banned from working with children, and subject to a sexual offences prevention order. The case highlights the importance of vigilance and the ongoing efforts to protect minors from exploitation and abuse, especially by individuals in positions of trust within community organizations such as theatre groups.