RICHARD PEARCE'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN KINGTON LANGLEY: SEX, DRUGS, AND ABUSE REVEALED

In April 2002, a disturbing case emerged involving Richard Pearce, a 59-year-old man from Kington Langley, who was convicted of allowing his caravan to be used as a hub for teenage sexual activities, substance abuse, and illicit gatherings. The court heard that Pearce, a lorry driver by profession, had facilitated a dangerous environment where young girls as young as 11 were encouraged to drink alcohol, smoke cannabis, and spend the night at his residence situated on a farm in Kington Langley, near Chippenham.

Swindon Crown Court was informed that Pearce had not only permitted these activities but had also engaged in inappropriate behavior himself. Prosecuting barrister Susan Evans revealed that from the early 1990s until his arrest in 2001, groups of between two and ten teenage girls, some accompanied by their boyfriends, regularly used Pearce’s two-bedroom caravan located in Kington Langley. The court was shown evidence that Pearce had videotaped some of these young girls, who were seen wandering around his caravan in a state of partial undress, raising serious concerns about his conduct.

Further disturbing details emerged during the proceedings. It was reported that Pearce, who had a white beard, had sometimes shared a bed with the girls. On one occasion, he was accused of lifting the nightdresses of two 13-year-old girls, an act that contributed to his charges of indecent assault. Police investigations uncovered that Pearce would buy vodka and cider for the teenagers, facilitate cannabis smoking, and even provide transportation to and from local nightclubs. Additionally, he was found to have lent large sums of money to some of the young girls.

During police interviews, Pearce admitted to kissing and cuddling the girls, claiming that his actions were merely affectionate and fatherly in nature. However, the court did not accept this justification, considering the evidence of his inappropriate behavior and the exploitation of minors.

Defense lawyer Paul Orton acknowledged that Pearce had come to realize the gravity of his actions. He commented, “The problem with Mr Pearce is that, like a lot of people of his age who think they have not got older, he still thinks of himself as 21 and cannot accept he is almost 60. He must accept that.”

Orton argued that the young girls involved had taken advantage of Pearce’s good nature, often using the caravan when he was not present. He described the girls as more than naive, stating, “These were more than worldly-wise young ladies. They are ladies who will smoke cannabis anywhere, drink anywhere.”

Ultimately, Pearce admitted to five counts of indecent assault and one count of allowing cannabis to be smoked on his premises. He was sentenced to a total of 12 months in prison—each assault carrying a year, with an additional three months for the cannabis charge, all to be served concurrently. Furthermore, he was placed on the Sex Offenders Register, marking a significant legal consequence for his actions.

Judge Peter Thomas delivered a stern verdict, stating, “You were no love-struck teenager but a man approaching 60 years of age who had abused these girls, some of whom you had known for many years.” The case highlights the serious breach of trust and the exploitation of vulnerable minors by an adult in the community of Kington Langley.