EXETER WEATHER FORECASTER ANDREW BOND SENTENCED FOR GROOMING AND RAPE OF TEEN BOY IN EXETER AND NEWTON ABBOT

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Exeter and Newton Abbot, Andrew Bond, a 32-year-old amateur weather forecaster from Exeter, has been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for grooming, raping, and sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy. The offences came to light after the victim, a student from Newton Abbot, became distressed at school and confided in others about the abuse he had suffered.

According to court proceedings, Bond initiated contact with the young teenager through the internet, specifically on a site called Kidzchat. Under the pseudonym 'Older Lad,' Bond engaged in conversations with the boy, who was unsure of his sexual orientation, and offered to provide advice. During their online exchanges, Bond asked the teenager whether he identified as gay or bisexual. When the boy responded that he was unsure, Bond continued to manipulate him, eventually arranging to meet in person.

The meeting took place at a Sainsbury’s car park in Newton Abbot, where Bond then took the boy back to his home on Fleming Way in Exeter. Over the course of the following two weeks in the summer of the previous year, Bond subjected the teenager to two separate rapes within his Exeter residence. The court heard that Bond took the boy to a bedroom, undressed him, and committed sexual acts, which included taking indecent photographs of the teenager. These images were later discovered on Bond’s computer during police investigations.

Further evidence revealed that Bond used his webcam to show sexual acts and possessed a total of 120 indecent images, categorized across five levels of severity. Police also found images of a young boy from Kent on Bond’s devices. During police interviews, Bond initially claimed to be gay and expressed a preference for younger males, but not children. However, he later fully admitted to the offences, which spared the victim from having to relive his trauma in court.

Prosecutor Nigel Wraith detailed how the offences were uncovered after the victim’s emotional distress led to disclosures at school. The court was told that Bond’s online activities included grooming the boy and engaging in sexual acts, with the teenager describing himself as a virgin. Bond’s actions included meeting the boy in Newton Abbot and then bringing him to his Exeter home, where the abuse occurred.

In mitigation, defense lawyer James Leeming acknowledged that Bond’s moral judgment had temporarily faltered. He emphasized that Bond had since reflected on his actions and expressed remorse. Bond was willing to undergo treatment to address his sexual issues, and his guilty plea to multiple charges—including two counts of rape, three of sexual assault, and various charges related to indecent images—was noted by the court.

Judge Paul Darlow sentenced Bond to eight and a half years in prison. Additionally, Bond was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was permanently barred from working with children. The judge took into account that Bond had no prior convictions, that no physical injuries resulted from his actions, and that he was prepared to participate in rehabilitation programs while incarcerated.