ANDREW BOAKES FROM PERRANPORTH AND POOL ESCAPES JAIL AFTER GROPING SCHOOLGIRL IN TRURO

In June 2016, a disturbing incident unfolded in the town of Truro involving Andrew Boakes, a man with connections to Perranporth and Pool. The case garnered significant attention as it highlighted the ongoing concerns about personal safety and the protection of minors in public spaces.

According to court proceedings, Boakes followed a young girl and her friend into the New Look store located on Pydar Street in Truro on November 2. The two girls, whose identities are protected by law, were shopping together when the incident occurred. As the girls separated within the store, Boakes targeted the 11-year-old girl, approaching her and inappropriately squeezing her buttocks. This act of sexual assault was captured on CCTV footage, which played a crucial role in the investigation.

During the hearing at Truro Crown Court, it was revealed that Boakes, aged 54, had previously admitted to similar offences. He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to one count of sexual assault on a girl under the age of 16. The prosecution, led by David Sapiecha, presented evidence from CCTV footage showing Boakes shadowing the girls, then assaulting the young girl before walking past them and looking back. The footage confirmed the victim’s account, which she later relayed to her mother, stating, “a random man squeezed my bum in New Look.”

Following the incident, the victim’s parents visited the store, where CCTV footage corroborated their daughter’s account. The police were promptly notified, leading to Boakes’s arrest. Interestingly, Boakes initially responded to an appeal by the authorities and CCTV images published by the press, giving an innocent account during his first police interview. However, in a subsequent interview, he admitted to the offence, along with previous allegations of sexual touching, including a case in London in 1995 from which he was acquitted. He also confessed to having a sexual interest in young girls and women, describing his thoughts as “dark.”

The court heard a statement from the victim’s mother, read aloud by Mr. Sapiecha, describing how her daughter’s personality had changed since the incident. The girl’s confidence and innocence appeared to have been diminished, and she was now fearful of walking alone to the main road or into town without an adult. She was described as “looking over her shoulder,” indicating the lasting psychological impact of the assault.

Boakes’s solicitor, Chris Spencer, addressed the court, stating that his client had been “frank with the police and probation” and expressed a desire for help to prevent further offending. Despite his admissions of previous offences, the judge, Simon Carr, decided on a sentence of eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years. The court also ordered Boakes to complete the Thames Valley Sex Offenders Programme and to register as a sex offender.

Judge Carr emphasized the seriousness of Boakes’s actions, remarking, “You have had a serious problem for a number of years. On occasion, you took that perversion out on women and children.” The judge praised the bravery of the young girl and issued a stern warning to Boakes, stating, “Let me make it absolutely clear, there will be no second chances.” He warned that if Boakes reoffended or breached the conditions of his suspended sentence, he would face a lengthy prison term, underscoring the court’s commitment to protecting the community from such offenders.