TERENCE PADMORE SHREWSBURY PENSIONER JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG BOYS IN SHROPSHIRE

In October 2015, a disturbing case unfolded in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, where an elderly man named Terence Padmore was convicted of heinous sexual offenses involving young boys. The court heard that Padmore, aged 71 at the time, had systematically befriended the mothers of four boys, all aged between seven and ten, and exploited their trust to commit serious acts of abuse.

Padmore’s manipulative tactics involved gaining the confidence of the single mothers, both of whom were on limited incomes. He would shower their children with expensive gifts—luxuries that the boys’ mothers could not afford—and frequently invited the young boys to his residence in Armdale, Shrewsbury. During these visits, he would prepare their favorite foods, creating an environment that appeared friendly and caring on the surface.

The proceedings at Shrewsbury Crown Court revealed the disturbing details of Padmore’s conduct. Prosecutor Cathlyn Orchid described how Padmore would walk around his house naked, a behavior he justified to police by claiming he believed it was normal. The court was told that he would often ask the boys to stay overnight, requesting that they sleep in his room. Evidence indicated that Padmore even purchased a double bed specifically for his room so that the youngest boy could sleep with him. However, the abuse did not occur in his bed; instead, it happened in his room, raising further concerns about his intentions.

It was also disclosed that prior to the abuse, the boys had no sexual education or experience, highlighting the vulnerability of the victims. One of the boys described Padmore as a “nice, old man who would buy me stuff,” and recounted how Padmore would ask him to sleep in his bed, though he preferred sleeping in the living room. The abuse only came to light in 2013 when one of the boys made a comment about Padmore to his father. The father, displeased with the remark, visited Padmore’s house but was met with hostility as Padmore slammed the door in his face.

By late 2013, Padmore’s contact with the boys had diminished. He reached out to one of them via Facebook, claiming he had “no friends or nobody to visit him” and that he kept toys at his house. The boy’s mother, upon seeing this message, warned her son not to contact Padmore. Subsequently, the boys were questioned by authorities, leading to Padmore’s own interview. Initially, he denied the allegations, dismissing them as “a pack of lies” and suggesting that adults had fabricated stories to extort money from him.

The impact on the victims was profound. Some of the boys reported that their school performance had suffered due to the trauma, and two of them were undergoing counseling. One victim expressed feelings of abnormality, stating that “what happened to him did not happen to normal people.”

Defense lawyer Debra White emphasized Padmore’s previously good character, asserting that he had not physically harmed the boys. However, the court was not swayed. Judge Robin Onions delivered a stern judgment, warning Padmore about the dangers of spending time alone with children he was not related to. The judge remarked on Padmore’s solitary lifestyle, noting that he had not maintained contact with his family since retiring in 1979 due to ill health. The judge criticized Padmore for inviting the boys into his home, stating that he should have been in a supervised environment instead of exploiting the trust placed in him.

Padmore was sentenced to three and a half years in prison, with the court ordering that he serve half of that term before being eligible for release on license. Additionally, he was subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to prevent further offenses. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and safeguarding measures to protect vulnerable children from predators within their communities.