SAFFET TEMIZBAS FROM EXETER AND ISLE OF WIGHT ADMITS GROOMING AND SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a significant development at Exeter Crown Court, Saffet Temizbas, a 43-year-old businessman with ties to Exeter and the Isle of Wight, has pleaded guilty to charges related to grooming a 15-year-old girl and engaging in sexual activity with her. The case drew attention due to the serious nature of the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the offences.

Initially, Temizbas faced more severe accusations, including having sex with the underage girl at the Holiday Inn in Exeter. However, these charges were ultimately dropped, leading him to change his plea to admit to lesser offences. The court proceedings revealed that Temizbas had sent the girl text messages over a period of two months, specifically in June and July 2012, which facilitated their meeting. The messages were part of the grooming process, and they culminated in Temizbas meeting the girl at the Exeter hotel with the apparent intent of engaging in sexual activity.

During the hearing, Temizbas was represented by a Turkish interpreter, and he admitted to both grooming the girl and engaging in sexual activity with her. The charges included sexual activity in a car during the same period and the sending of messages that led to their meeting. The judge, Paul Darlow, decided to adjourn sentencing until a probation report could be prepared, and he granted bail to Temizbas. The defendant was ordered to reside at a new address on the Isle of Wight, away from his previous residence on Stuart Road, Exeter.

Judge Darlow issued a stern warning, emphasizing that he could not guarantee the final sentence, as the offences were considered serious enough to potentially warrant a custodial sentence under current guidelines. The case was viewed as a serious matter, reflecting the gravity of grooming and sexual offences involving minors.

Prosecutor Mr. Richard Crabb explained that the decision to accept Temizbas’s pleas was influenced by the girl’s desire to move forward with her life without the burden of testifying in court again. He noted that the defendant had not committed any further offences and had shown willingness to plead guilty to some charges. The prosecutor also mentioned that the girl was content with the plea arrangement and was reluctant to return for further court proceedings, highlighting her wish to put the matter behind her.

As the case proceeds, the court will consider the full circumstances before determining an appropriate sentence, but the serious nature of the offences underscores the importance of justice in cases involving minors and grooming.