March 2015 Tiverton man admits historic sex assaults against four girls A man from Tiverton has admitted historic sexual assaults against four different girls which date back to the 1990s when he was a teenager. Richard Yabsley, aged 36, pleaded guilty to a total of seven charges when he appeared before Judge Graham Cottle at Exeter Crown Court. Yabsley, from Tiverton, admitted indecency and indecent assault against one girl; the same charges against a second; two charges of indecent assault against a third and a single charge of indecent assault against a fourth. He denied a further ten charges, which will not be pursued. Miss Mary McCarthy, prosecuting, said the pleas had been notified in advance and were acceptable. Mr Richard Crabb, defending, said:”This has been a very difficult process for a man in his position. The allegations are of non penetrative activity with four girls between 1994 and 1997 when he was in his teens. “For the past 15 years he has led an honest and industrious life and has a wife and young children.” Judge Cottle adjourned the case for a probation pre sentence report and ordered Yabsley to sign on the sex offenders’ register immediately.