ADRIAN MILLS CORFE CASTLE SCHOOL TAXI DRIVER SENTENCED FOR HISTORIC SEX OFFENCES

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community, Adrian Mills, a taxi driver from Corfe Castle, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after being found guilty of multiple historic sexual offences involving a young girl. The offences, which occurred between 1989 and 1992, included three counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault against the same female victim, all of whom were under the age of 16 at the time.

Adrian Mills, who was entrusted by the county council to transport children safely to school, faced a four-day trial during which he vehemently denied all charges. Despite his protests, the jury took only a few hours to reach a unanimous verdict of guilt on all counts. The court proceedings revealed the disturbing details of the assaults, which spanned several years during Mills's early adulthood.

Mills, now 59 years old, resided at Halves Cottages and was the head of Valley Taxis, a family-owned business that had been responsible for ferrying numerous children to their educational institutions across the region. The company, however, clarified that Mills had not been associated with their operations since October 2013, following the initial police investigation.

Prior to his arrest, Mills’s online presence included testimonials from customers, including a young child who expressed gratitude for their conversations and debates, highlighting the trust placed in him by the community. The company’s website emphasized that all drivers undergo comprehensive CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checks before being permitted to work with children, ensuring safety and compliance with strict regulations.

Following the allegations, Dorset County Council issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to child safety. A spokesperson explained, “The safety of children is paramount to us. All of our taxi providers must go through rigorous disclosure and barring service (DBS) checks and quality assessments before they are allowed to drive children to and from schools. As soon as we were notified in September 2013 by the Police and Safeguarding Children’s Board of the allegations made against Adrian Mills, we withdrew authorization for him to operate on any county council contracts, and he has not worked for us since.”

Concerned members of the community and acquaintances have expressed fears that there may be other victims who have yet to come forward. One former associate, who wished to remain anonymous, voiced their worries, stating, “Because of the nature of his job, it’s so worrying to think there could be other youngsters out there who might have been hurt. He committed these offences so long ago that you wonder what else he could have done to other children in that time.”

The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Corfe and the surrounding areas, raising serious questions about safeguarding procedures and the vetting of individuals entrusted with the care of children. Mills’s sentencing marks a significant step in addressing these past crimes, but the community remains vigilant for any further revelations or victims that may emerge in the future.