ANDREW RODGER EXMOUTH LIFEBOATMAN AND COASTGUARD PREDICTED TO DIE IN PRISON AFTER SEXUAL ABUSE CASES

In a series of disturbing criminal cases, Andrew Rodger, a man with deep ties to Exmouth, has been convicted of multiple serious offenses involving the sexual abuse of minors and indecent exposure. The gravity of his crimes has shocked the local community and prompted severe legal repercussions.

Rodger, aged 58, who was once a respected member of the Exmouth lifeboat crew and a coastguard, now faces a bleak future as he is expected to spend his remaining months behind bars. This prognosis comes amid his ongoing battle with advanced Parkinson’s Disease, which has significantly deteriorated his health and led to his current confinement in a wheelchair. Medical experts have indicated that his life expectancy may be limited to just a few months, adding a tragic dimension to his already heinous crimes.

His criminal record is extensive and includes a recent conviction for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl over a decade ago. Rodger was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison after he pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault. The judge, Judge Phillip Wassall, at Exeter Crown Court, emphasized the severity of the offenses, describing them as akin to grooming and highlighting the devastating impact on the victim. The judge stated, “These assaults followed what might be regarded as grooming. The effect on the victim has been predictably catastrophic and more so than in many cases because this occurred at a critical time in her education.”

Rodger’s criminal history also includes a separate incident from the previous year, where he was jailed for three years for exposing himself to two schoolgirls in Exmouth. The girls, aged ten and eleven, were walking home from school when Rodger, in his car, followed them and committed the indecent act. Despite court orders prohibiting him from being near children or engaging in such behavior, Rodger repeatedly defied these restrictions, leading to his arrest and subsequent sentencing.

The court heard that Rodger had a history of stalking and harassment, which culminated in him following the two girls through the streets of Exmouth, leering at them, and exposing himself. The girls were visibly terrified, and their distress was palpable during the court proceedings. One of the girls’ mothers provided a heartbreaking account of how the incident had shattered her daughter’s confidence, leaving her shy, withdrawn, and fearful of going out alone. The court was told that Rodger’s actions had a lasting and damaging effect on the victims, with one mother stating, “This incident has destroyed the innocence of my daughter.”

In addition to his offenses involving minors, Rodger was also found guilty of possessing and downloading child abuse images. In 2013, he admitted to eight charges related to indecent photographs of children, including images of infants and young girls. The court imposed an eight-week suspended jail sentence and a two-year supervision order, which included restrictions on his internet use and contact with minors. The magistrates also mandated that Rodger attend a specialized sex offender treatment program and imposed a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which prohibits him from unsupervised contact with children, working with minors, or visiting places frequented by children without supervision.

Throughout these proceedings, Rodger’s health was a recurring concern. His defense argued that his Parkinson’s Disease, which has progressively worsened, was a significant factor in his behavior. They noted that he had lost his home, possessions, and relationships due to his condition and that he was unlikely to serve more than a few months of his sentence before his health deteriorated further. Despite this, the court emphasized the seriousness of his crimes and the need for ongoing restrictions to protect the community.

In summary, Andrew Rodger’s criminal activities have left a trail of trauma and fear in Exmouth. His multiple convictions for sexual offenses, stalking, and possession of child abuse images underscore the severity of his misconduct. The legal system has responded with substantial sentences and lifelong restrictions, but the community remains deeply affected by the revelations of his actions and the ongoing threat he posed to vulnerable children.