ROBERT TAYLOR FROM OKEHAMPTON AND WESTBURY-ON-TRYM JAILED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN THE 1980S

In a case that has spanned decades, Robert Taylor, a 66-year-old former taxi driver with ties to both Westbury-on-Trym and Okehampton, has been sentenced to five years in prison for historical child sex offenses committed during the 1980s. The Bristol Crown Court heard that Taylor's abuse was directed at a young girl, beginning when she was just ten years old. The initial act involved Taylor kissing her on the shoulder, an act he later admitted was sexually motivated, marking the start of a series of inappropriate and criminal behaviors.

At the time of the offenses, Taylor was residing in Westbury-on-Trym, but he has since claimed to have found religion and is now living in Berryball Close, Okehampton. He pleaded guilty to a total of 11 sexual assault charges related to incidents from the 1980s, acknowledging his guilt before the court. The judge, Mr. Justice Field, emphasized the profound and lasting impact of Taylor's actions on the victim. In his remarks, he stated, “The effect on (the complainant) is profound. I have read the victim impact statement and she is still suffering psychological consequences of your abuse. She was young, she was innocent, and you prevented her from having the sort of life she was entitled to as a young girl and as an adult.”

To prevent any further harm, Taylor was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which was made indefinite. This order is designed to restrict his contact with minors, especially unsupervised interactions. Additionally, he was disqualified from working with children for life and was ordered to register as a sex offender, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

Prosecutor Peter Coombe detailed the nature of the offenses, stating that Taylor initially kissed the girl on her shoulder before touching her improperly. Following the allegations, Taylor was arrested on March 12 of this year and subsequently admitted to the offenses. During court proceedings, he expressed remorse, stating, “He was disgusted with himself,” and confirmed that he recognized the acts as sexually motivated. Taylor also attempted to apologize directly to the girl, but she chose not to speak with him.

Defense lawyer Barry White acknowledged the seriousness of the charges but argued that the acts were at the lower end of the severity spectrum. He pointed out that there were no threats, coercion, or bribery involved, which is uncommon in such cases. White emphasized Taylor’s age and reputation, noting, “Any prison sentence will represent a substantial chunk of what he has remaining,” and highlighted that Taylor was highly regarded within his community. Despite his remorse, the court made it clear that the safety and well-being of potential victims must take precedence, leading to the five-year custodial sentence and the implementation of strict preventative measures.