THOMAS CHILD FROM NEWQUAY SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN TRURO
| Red Rose Database
Newquay Rapist
In a case that has shocked the community of Newquay, Thomas Child, a 40-year-old man residing on Taylors Lane, was convicted of multiple serious sexual offences involving two young girls. The incidents, which spanned from 2008 to 2014, led to a lengthy trial at Truro Crown Court, where the court heard harrowing details of Child’s actions and their devastating impact on the victims.
According to court proceedings, Child was found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with one underage girl, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, and of sexually assaulting a second girl. The case was initiated after the first girl confided in a friend about her experiences, prompting her to disclose to an adult and ultimately leading to police involvement. The prosecution, led by Gareth Evans, described how the girl revealed that she had been raped by Child the night before, and that he had engaged in sexual acts with her on multiple occasions.
During the trial, the court was presented with a video interview in which the girl recounted her ordeal. She explained that she initially told her friend because she was asked why she was upset, noting that she usually kept her feelings to herself. Her account detailed how Child was 'having his way with her' and using her for sexual gratification, which had profoundly affected her mental health and her trust in others. The victim impact statement she provided to police highlighted the emotional toll of the offences, including her loss of trust and difficulties at school. She expressed that Child’s actions had transformed her into a person she did not want to be.
Further allegations emerged during the trial, revealing that Child had also inappropriately touched a second girl. Both victims reported that the offences had negatively impacted their school performance and family life. Despite the serious nature of the accusations, Child denied all charges, initially facing nine counts of rape related to the first girl and one count of sexual assault against the second. During the course of the trial, the indictment was amended to include alternative counts of sexual activity with a child in relation to some of the rape charges.
While the jury acquitted Child of all rape charges, they found him guilty of seven counts of sexual activity with a child and of sexually assaulting the second girl. The court established that these offences occurred over a period of six years, from 2008 to 2014. Child’s defense team, led by Rupert Taylor, argued that there was no evidence of force, violence, or verbal coercion used during the offences. Despite his continued denial of guilt, the jury’s verdict was clear.
In sentencing, Judge Christopher Harvey Clark, QC, acknowledged that many of Child’s family and friends had submitted character references, describing him as a kind, decent, and trustworthy individual. However, the judge emphasized that the nature of the crimes was profoundly offensive and disgusting, stating, “Ordinary people looking at this case would say that your behaviour was truly offensive and disgusting.” As a result, Child was sentenced to a total of ten years in prison, reflecting the severity of his crimes and their impact on the victims and the community of Newquay.
According to court proceedings, Child was found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with one underage girl, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, and of sexually assaulting a second girl. The case was initiated after the first girl confided in a friend about her experiences, prompting her to disclose to an adult and ultimately leading to police involvement. The prosecution, led by Gareth Evans, described how the girl revealed that she had been raped by Child the night before, and that he had engaged in sexual acts with her on multiple occasions.
During the trial, the court was presented with a video interview in which the girl recounted her ordeal. She explained that she initially told her friend because she was asked why she was upset, noting that she usually kept her feelings to herself. Her account detailed how Child was 'having his way with her' and using her for sexual gratification, which had profoundly affected her mental health and her trust in others. The victim impact statement she provided to police highlighted the emotional toll of the offences, including her loss of trust and difficulties at school. She expressed that Child’s actions had transformed her into a person she did not want to be.
Further allegations emerged during the trial, revealing that Child had also inappropriately touched a second girl. Both victims reported that the offences had negatively impacted their school performance and family life. Despite the serious nature of the accusations, Child denied all charges, initially facing nine counts of rape related to the first girl and one count of sexual assault against the second. During the course of the trial, the indictment was amended to include alternative counts of sexual activity with a child in relation to some of the rape charges.
While the jury acquitted Child of all rape charges, they found him guilty of seven counts of sexual activity with a child and of sexually assaulting the second girl. The court established that these offences occurred over a period of six years, from 2008 to 2014. Child’s defense team, led by Rupert Taylor, argued that there was no evidence of force, violence, or verbal coercion used during the offences. Despite his continued denial of guilt, the jury’s verdict was clear.
In sentencing, Judge Christopher Harvey Clark, QC, acknowledged that many of Child’s family and friends had submitted character references, describing him as a kind, decent, and trustworthy individual. However, the judge emphasized that the nature of the crimes was profoundly offensive and disgusting, stating, “Ordinary people looking at this case would say that your behaviour was truly offensive and disgusting.” As a result, Child was sentenced to a total of ten years in prison, reflecting the severity of his crimes and their impact on the victims and the community of Newquay.