ROBERT DE FROM BARR INDICTED FOR ABUSE IN BRIDGWATER AFTER 25 YEARS OF SILENCE

In a case that has spanned over a quarter of a century, Robert De, a man from Barr, has finally been brought to justice for heinous acts committed against young boys in the Bridgwater area during the 1980s. The lengthy delay in prosecution was largely attributed to the victims’ families being dissuaded from reporting the abuse at the time, a fact highlighted during the recent court proceedings.

According to court records, the victims, all of whom belonged to Robert De’s junior cycling club based near Bridgwater, were subjected to sexual abuse by De during their childhood. It is believed that these boys attended the same primary school in the vicinity, which further underscores the local nature of the abuse. De, who was also a member of the Nether Stowey twinning association, faced multiple charges after being identified and brought to trial.

Last week, De pleaded guilty at Sedgemoor Magistrates’ Court to three counts of indecent assault on boys under the age of 14. An additional offence was considered during the proceedings, though not formally charged. The court heard that one of the assaults occurred during a camping trip that De had organized, adding a disturbing layer to the case.

Despite the allegations being known to authorities at the time, the response was marred by a troubling pattern of cover-up and silence. Sarah Rhodes, the prosecutor, revealed that the mother of one of the victims chose not to file a formal complaint, citing advice she received from individuals associated with the education department, which discouraged her from taking further action. This decision contributed to the victims’ suffering going unpunished for many years.

De-Barr’s defense acknowledged the existence of a cover-up, with Keith Needs, his lawyer, stating, “Things were different then, is all I can say as a general observer.” The lawyer also pointed out that De had been a victim of abuse himself, having been molested by a teacher during his childhood. De-Barr, now 61 and residing on Lime Street, expressed remorse by writing a letter to the parents of one of his victims in 1989, in which he apologized and stated his intention to leave the area.

During the court hearing, Mr. Needs emphasized that De believed the boys were asleep and thought his actions would not harm them, a belief he now recognizes as profoundly wrong. The case has prompted a response from Somerset County Council, which oversees the education department. A spokesperson stated, “We cannot comment on a case so long ago, but children’s safety is paramount to us and we have strict procedures that we follow to safeguard our children.”

As the legal process concludes, the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need to protect vulnerable children from abuse, regardless of the passage of time.