BRIDGWATER PAEDOPHILE ANDREW MARGETTS SENTENCE REDUCED IN MODERN-DAY HORROR STORY

In a case that has shocked the community of Bridgwater, Andrew Margetts, a 31-year-old man from Friarn Avenue, has seen his prison sentence significantly reduced following an appeal. Originally sentenced to 25 years at Taunton Crown Court in January 2017 for a series of heinous crimes, his term has now been cut by five years, meaning he will serve only 20 years in total.

His crimes involved a prolonged and disturbing campaign of abuse against three children, beginning when the victims were as young as six years old. The abuse spanned over a decade, with Margetts starting his assault on a toddler at the age of just seven. Over the years, he continued to target another boy and girl, subjecting them to repeated acts of sexual violence and psychological torment.

The court heard that Margetts faced a total of 23 charges, including seven counts of rape, seven counts of indecent assault, three counts of false imprisonment, two counts of gross indecency, and other sexual offences. Despite vehemently denying all allegations, a jury convicted him after a trial that lasted six days. The verdict was delivered swiftly, with the jury taking only two and a half hours to find him guilty of all charges.

Prosecutor Sean Brunton highlighted the bravery of the victims, stating, “It has taken great courage for these three witnesses to come and give evidence here in court in front of the defendant.” The severity of the crimes was underscored by the detailed accounts provided during the trial, revealing a pattern of horrific abuse that included physical violence, psychological manipulation, and sexual assault.

The oldest victim, who was just four years old when the abuse began, recounted that she was unable to reach the lock on the door during her initial assault. She described her first rape at the age of five, and detailed how Margetts would later escalate his violence by hitting her, tying her up, biting her, blindfolding her, and even holding a knife to her throat to maintain control.

Further disturbing revelations involved Margetts abusing a younger girl and then a young boy, with the latter victim being subjected to his sick demands via the internet. Court evidence revealed that Margetts used his computer and gaming console to facilitate his abuse, often bribing the young boy with access to his gaming system in exchange for sexual acts. The court also learned that Margetts was addicted to pornography and used his devices to search for material depicting child abuse and incest.

Police reports described the state of Margetts’ room at the time of arrest as “a mess,” with the man sleeping on a mattress surrounded by bottles of urine, dirty plates, and general clutter. It was also revealed that he would urinate into bottles, leaving them scattered around his room. His use of technology was integral to his offending, with evidence showing he exploited his computer and gaming console to carry out his sickening activities.

Throughout the trial, Margetts maintained a stoic demeanor, showing little emotion as witnesses and victims recounted their experiences. He was noted to have made furious notes during proceedings, but his lack of remorse was evident. The court’s decision to reduce his sentence has sparked further debate about justice and the severity of his crimes, which have left a lasting scar on the victims and the community of Bridgwater.