TERRANCE LANGFORD OF TAUNTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE CRIMES IN PLYMOUTH COURT

In a significant development in the pursuit of justice, Terrance George Langford, a 58-year-old man from Laxton Road in Taunton, has been held accountable for heinous crimes committed over two decades ago. The case, which culminated in a court hearing at Plymouth Crown Court last week, brought to light disturbing allegations of child abuse that had remained unpunished for many years.

Langford, a bodybuilder by profession and previously employed as a parks worker, faced serious charges related to the sexual assault of two young girls during the 1970s and 1980s. His arrest led to his suspension from his job at Deane DLO, reflecting the gravity of the allegations against him. Following a thorough trial, the court found him guilty of four counts of indecent assault against the two victims, as well as two additional charges of gross indecency. The verdict was delivered last month at Taunton Crown Court, where the victims' testimonies played a crucial role in establishing his guilt.

One of the victims, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, recounted to the jury how Langford had subjected her and a friend to a series of disturbing acts. She described how Langford forced both girls to strip and lie face down on the floor before groping them and encouraging them to touch him inappropriately. The court was also informed that Langford paid the victims small sums of money—50 pence or one pound—after each assault, a detail that underscored the manipulative and predatory nature of his actions.

The victims, who were very young at the time and chose to remain anonymous, explained that they had kept silent for many years. Their silence was attributed to feelings of guilt, self-blame, or simply a lack of understanding about the wrongfulness of the acts due to their age. Their courage in coming forward and sharing their experiences was a pivotal element in securing justice.

In sentencing, the court imposed a term of three and a half years in prison for each of the four indecent assault charges. Additionally, Langford received a 12-month sentence for each of the gross indecency offences. All sentences are to run concurrently, meaning he will serve the combined term of three and a half years. Furthermore, as part of his punishment, Langford was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely upon his release, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities and safeguarding the community from potential harm.

This case highlights the importance of perseverance in bringing long-standing offenders to justice and serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of childhood abuse. The victims’ bravery in speaking out has not only resulted in a significant prison sentence for Langford but also contributed to raising awareness about the importance of addressing historical abuse cases.