SIMON TAPLIN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN CHICHESTER AND LAVANT

A man with a history of abusing his position has been sentenced to prison for serious sexual offences committed against two young girls. Simon Taplin, aged 64, of Springfield Close in Lavant, was brought before Portsmouth Crown Court on June 3rd, where he received a custodial sentence of four and a half years.

The court proceedings followed a conviction on February 20th, where Taplin was found guilty of two counts of indecent assault involving a girl under the age of 16. Despite this conviction, he faced additional charges, including five counts of sexual assault against another girl under 16. However, the jury acquitted him of these further charges, leaving the original convictions as the primary basis for his sentencing.

The investigation into Taplin’s actions was initiated in September 2020 after Sussex Police received a report from a third party. The report detailed allegations that a woman had been sexually abused by Taplin during her childhood. Due to legal restrictions, the victim’s identity remains confidential. It was revealed that she met Taplin through his role in the cadets, where he exploited his authority to commit the abuse.

The first known incident occurred in 1996, when the victim was in her teenage years. Over the following four years, Taplin continued to sexually abuse her on multiple occasions. The case was further strengthened when another woman came forward, bravely sharing her own experience of abuse at the hands of Taplin during her adolescence. She recounted that Taplin, leveraging his senior position within the cadet organization, took advantage of her during a cadet event, subjecting her to sexual assault.

In addition to his prison sentence, Taplin has been ordered to register as a sex offender for life, a measure that underscores the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community. Detective Constable Jason Berney, from the Safeguarding Investigations Unit, expressed his appreciation for the victims’ courage in coming forward. He emphasized that their bravery was instrumental in securing the conviction and that justice has been served.

Berney also issued a message to other potential victims, encouraging them to report any instances of abuse, regardless of how much time has passed. He reaffirmed the police’s commitment to investigating all allegations thoroughly, ensuring that offenders are held accountable and that victims receive the support they need.