A convicted paedophile who exhibited a “persistent pattern” of sexual offending against young girls has been jailed for four years.
Barry John Bruce Taylor, 26, had previously admitted a string of sexual offences and yesterday confessed to breaching a restraining order banning him from contacting his 15-year-old former girlfriend when he appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentencing.
The court heard how Taylor, of Tretawn Close, St Kew Highway near Bodmin in North Cornwall, had previously admitted having had unlawful sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl, had twice made an indecent photograph of a child and had possession of an indecent image.
Last September, Taylor had been caught topless in a tent with the fully-clothed girl –who cannot be named because of her age. At court in October, convicted paedophile Taylor was handed a 12-month restraining order banning him from seeing the 15-year-old girl he had admitted having a relationship with. However, police were again alerted to Taylor when he was caught breaking that restraining order in December last year.
Prosecuting, Barry van den Berg said: “Matters came to light on December 30 when mobile phones were seized from Taylor and the girl, containing indecent images of the girl.
“When he was interviewed, Taylor said he knew the girl and how old she was, and that sexual intercourse happened in October that year. He admitted breaching the restraining order imposed on him when he was seen coming out of a pub with his arm around the girl.”
In mitigation, defence counsel Rupert Taylor said his client had become “a model prisoner” since being remanded in custody in March.
Mr Taylor said: “He has had the sense to admit to police in interview his guilt at the first opportunity.”
Mr Taylor said his client had had no contact with the girl in prison, but had written a letter to the victim’s mother saying he doesn’t wish to see the girl again.
Sentencing Taylor, who has a previous conviction for under-age sex with a girl in 2003, Judge Christopher Elwen said the defendant’s pre-sentence report stated Taylor had demonstrated “a persistent pattern of sexual offending against children”.
Judge Elwen added: “As the report points out, you have started to address the problem areas in your life.
Taylor was handed a four year prison sentence, less the 105 days served on remand. He was made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order prohibiting him from seeking the company of — or sleeping in the same house as — anyone under the age of 16, with their parent or guardian’s consent.
He was also made to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register, where his name will remain indefinitely.
October 2009
Paedophile found in tent with girls
A CONVICTED paedophile has walked free from court after he was caught in a tent with a child he had been banned from seeing.
Barry John Bruce Taylor, 26, stood in the dock at Bodmin Magistrates Court, where he admitted three charges of detaining or taking a child
In 2003, Taylor was convicted of having under-age sex with a girl.
Yesterday, he was handed a 12-month restraining order banning him from initiating contact with a 15-year-old girl.
The court heard how, on July 13, police found the teenager in a Bodmin flat with Taylor. Both were lying under a duvet, and the defendant was naked.
He was later banned from seeing her, but was arrested a month later after police spotted the pair talking together and sharing a cigarette in Bodmin town centre.
Taylor admitted talking to her, but said she had approached him while he was walking down the street.
He also told police the pair travelled out of the county together on July 14.
Prosecuting, Julian Herbert said the couple had travelled to Saltash, South East Cornwall, the previous day, stopping overnight before travelling upcountry.
Defending, Chris Nicholls said Taylor had not taken the girl “to some random location”, but to visit a relative, before proceeding alone to Reading to see his own family.
The court was told how the couple were in a relationship, but that it “was not sexual, and wasn’t going to be” until the girl was 16. However, the court heard how the relationship was “too much trouble” for Taylor, who said he did not want anything more to do with her.
On September 9, police attended Taylor’s friend’s house looking for the girl. An occupant told police he had not seen her, but an officer noticed a tent in the rear garden which the occupant said belonged to Taylor.
After unzipping the tent, officers discovered the girl. The court heard that she was half-covered by a duvet, while Taylor, who was also inside, was topless. He was arrested and remanded in custody.
Taylor later told police how the girl came around to his friend’s house because “she didn’t want to go back” to her current address. Taylor told the girl she could stay the night, but that the pair would have separate sleeping bags. He said she remained fully clothed throughout.
Defending, Mr Nicholls said: “Taylor was with his friends when the girl turned up one night. He accepts he made the mistake of letting her stay the night. She was there for about an hour before the police came.”
Taylor was handed a 12-month supervision order and a curfew, to remain at an address at Tredanek Close, Bodmin, between 8pm and 6am every day for three months.
He was also ordered to pay £20 compensation to a separate person whom he admitted stealing from, and was told to pay £85 costs.
