SWINDON EX-COUNCILLOR SENTENCED FOR CHILD RAPE AND GROOMING
A former councillor who raped teenage boys he met in Swindon in the mid-1990s has been sentenced to 22 years in prison.Timothy Darch, aged 62, groomed three victims in their mid-teens between 1996 and 1997 after meeting them through support charities for young gay men.
Judge Taylor stated Darch had showed no remorse for his actions, in which he preyed on the teenagers, prioritizing his sexual gratification over their welfare.
Details revealed that Darch, who was a member of Lyneham and Bradenstoke Parish Council's planning committee as recently as 2020, used various manipulative tactics, including sending victims to pubs and clubs, and giving them money, gifts, and accommodation.
This was described as a cynical effort to make the victims dependent on him so he could abuse them.
The court heard that Darch appeared via video link from HMP Bullingdon to hear his sentence.
Victim statements indicated severe mental health issues, feelings of paranoia, shame, and struggles trusting others.
One victim stated: "These incidents have blighted my life.
I was a child when I met Tim, so… abusing me was easy for him." Another described being drawn into a world where responsibility didn't matter, leading to substance abuse and damage that would last a lifetime.
In February, Darch was found guilty of multiple offences, including four counts of indecent assault and four counts of rape on boys under 16, amounting to at least 10 rapes including seven involving victims under 16, and performing oral sex on underage youths on at least six occasions.
Judge Taylor emphasized that Darch targeted vulnerable, homosexual teenagers, exploiting their vulnerabilities and the lack of opportunities for them to explore their sexuality.
Darch was sentenced to 22 years' imprisonment, with two-thirds to be served before parole, and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
Wiltshire Police Detective Constable Ross Duff praised the victims' bravery and assured the community of ongoing efforts to combat such crimes.
