ADRIAN DANCE: DEVON PAEDOPHILE FROM BUDLEIGH AND EXMOUTH COULD BE FREED EARLY

In a shocking turn of events, Adrian Dance, a convicted paedophile from the Devon area, faces the possibility of early release from prison after serving only a fraction of his original sentence. The news has sent ripples of distress through his victims and the wider community of Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth, where Dance was once a respected figure.

Dance, now 59 years old, was sentenced in 2010 by Judge Graham Cottle at Exeter Crown Court to serve 21 and a half years behind bars for a series of heinous crimes committed against young girls. His criminal activities, which spanned over two decades, included five victims, with offences ranging from sexual assault and indecency to multiple rapes. The court heard that Dance’s abuse began in the 1980s, with one girl being repeatedly raped, and continued into the 2000s, during which he abducted a 14-year-old girl in Exmouth and held her captive in his home while assaulting her.

He admitted to a total of 14 offences, which encompassed one sexual assault, four rapes, seven indecent assaults, and two offences of indecency with a child. His actions were characterized by threats of violence and intimidation, with some victims being warned that no one would believe them if they disclosed the abuse. The court was told that Dance’s manipulative tactics and threats to kill made it difficult for victims to come forward for many years.

Despite the severity of his crimes, legal loopholes in his original sentencing allowed Dance to successfully appeal and reduce his time in custody. It has now emerged that he could potentially be released as early as September 2017, with some reports suggesting he might be out by that date. This revelation has caused immense distress among his victims, one of whom expressed her shock and disappointment upon learning that Dance could be free in just two years. She fears that he might return to the community and the scene of his crimes, reigniting fears and trauma.

Dance, who was once a well-known figure in his community for his charitable work, including raising approximately £50,000 for children with cancer, maintained a facade of respectability. His true nature was only uncovered after a brave victim, who had been abducted, found the courage to speak out. Her testimony, along with others, led to his arrest and subsequent conviction.

In the aftermath of his sentencing, victims have been contacted by probation services, warning them of his potential early release. One woman described the news as a “kick in the teeth,” emphasizing the ongoing emotional toll and the difficulty of coping with the possibility of his return. She stated, “For the majority of victims, this news is going to be heartbreaking. A couple of them were timid; I don’t know how they will be able to cope with this mentally, physically, and emotionally. Because of him, I was always looking over my shoulder. Hearing he could be out so soon is like a bereavement, and I feel numb. It will be like going back to square one, and there is nothing that can be done about that for us. I think for a lot of his victims, after what they went through, this is going to leave a bitter taste, and I think they will struggle with the news. As a victim, you are a victim for life.”

Reflecting on the case, it was noted that Dance’s crimes included abducting a 14-year-old girl in Exmouth and holding her captive while abusing her, as well as repeatedly raping a girl he first assaulted when she was just 11 years old. His actions were characterized by threats and intimidation, with some victims being told that no one would believe them if they spoke out. The police only became involved after one victim, who had been abducted, summoned the courage to report her ordeal, leading to a police investigation that uncovered decades of abuse.

Despite his criminal record, Dance was a familiar face in the community, known for his charity work and fundraising efforts. His true nature was hidden behind a facade of kindness until the courage of his victims brought his crimes to light. The court heard that his manipulative behavior and false persona had caused lasting damage to those he victimized. One victim, speaking exclusively to the local newspaper, described how Dance pretended to be her friend and confidant before betraying her trust in the worst possible way. She recounted how he took away her innocence, her teenage years, and left an indelible mark on her psyche. “He could make you do anything he wanted by manipulation, by the words he used. Anyone who knows him would say he has the gift of the gab. He changed me. What he did to me, what he made me do, has never gone away. It has always been in my head. You just deal with it and try and get on with your life.”

Her account was further reinforced by her decision to come forward after watching an abuse storyline involving a teenager on EastEnders, which prompted her to contact the police. She expressed her relief that her allegations were finally being addressed, stating, “Although it has been an upsetting time with lots of different emotions running through me – hating him and myself, anger, lots of anger – that this has happened to me, I am relieved they knocked on my door. It had to come out. It has brought some closure to the last 23 years, and I hope that he rots in prison.”

As the debate over his potential early release continues, the community remains divided, with many feeling betrayed and others questioning the legal processes that allowed his sentence to be reduced. The victims, however, remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice and healing, determined to move forward despite the shadow cast by Dance’s crimes.