SEAN PATTON WARMINSTER PAEDOPHILE CAUGHT IN SHOCKING SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CASE

In June 2016, a disturbing case emerged from Warminster involving a local father of four, Sean Patton, who was sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted of engaging in sexual activities with a 14-year-old girl. The court described Patton's conduct as 'abhorrent,' highlighting the severity of his actions and the betrayal of trust involved.

Patton, aged 37 and residing on Portway in Warminster, had developed a troubling relationship with the young girl, whom he met and initially befriended. The court was informed that their interactions escalated over time, with Patton frequently engaging in sexual encounters with her. These encounters took place in various locations, including his sitting room, his car, a garden shed, and even once at his mother’s house, indicating a pattern of repeated misconduct over several months.

The court heard that the victim, who was only 13 when Patton first made contact, was targeted and groomed by him. As their relationship progressed, Patton’s behavior became increasingly inappropriate, with reports indicating that he began to 'cuddle' her when they were alone. On one occasion, the girl recounted that Patton pulled over his car while he was driving her home, and although she expressed reluctance, she ultimately agreed to engage in sexual activity in the vehicle.

Further details revealed that Patton had recorded himself having sex with the girl and subsequently sent video clips of these encounters to her and her friend. He also manipulated the girls into sending him explicit photographs from their phones, further exploiting their trust and innocence. Prosecutor James Tucker explained that Patton targeted the girl, who was just 13 when they first made contact, and continued his abuse until she was 14.

The court was told that Patton’s misconduct extended beyond physical acts. He used the videos and images to coerce the girls into sending him sexually explicit photos, asking them questions like, 'What colour panties are you both wearing?' and requesting additional explicit images to receive more video clips of his sexual acts with the victim.

The victim’s mother became suspicious of her daughter’s frequent and prolonged FaceTime conversations with Patton. Concerned, she asked her partner to review her daughter’s phone, where he took screenshots of the messages exchanged. This evidence prompted her to report Patton to the police, leading to his arrest and subsequent conviction.

During police interviews, the victim disclosed that Patton had once filmed their sexual encounter, footage which he later used to manipulate her and her friend into sending explicit images. The case underscored the calculated grooming and exploitation tactics employed by Patton, who sought to manipulate the young girl into a web of sexual abuse and coercion. The court’s verdict reflected the gravity of his offenses, emphasizing the breach of trust and the harm inflicted upon the victim and her family.