ANDREW WEBBER

DEVON FARMER AVOIDS JAIL AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ONLINE GROOMING

A farmer from Devon has been convicted of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl and sending explicit messages to someone he believed was a 13-year-old.

Andrew Webber, aged 53, from Umberleigh, hugged and kissed the girl in his car despite her showing disgust, and also groped her thigh before she managed to escape.

During police investigations, it was revealed that he was already suspected of making inappropriate comments online to a decoy posing as a child.

Webber appeared at Exeter Crown Court to face charges of two sexual assaults and attempting sexual communication with a minor.

He pleaded guilty to these charges.

He was sentenced to a 10-month suspended jail term, avoiding immediate imprisonment to prevent the potential sale of his livestock and the closing of his farm.

Additionally, he is required to complete 70 hours of unpaid work, attend 40 rehabilitation days, pay £1,000 in compensation, and is subject to a 10-year registration on the Sex Offender Register along with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The prosecution detailed that in August 2023, Webber's online chats with a decoy included sexual references and the sending of explicit images.

The assaults on the girl occurred after he requested a hug, which she refused, but he hugged her anyway, kissed her neck, and groped her thigh.

The victim has reported suffering from flashbacks and psychological impacts.

The court was informed that Webber has lived lawfully for 53 years and is unlikely to offend again, but his actions have resulted in serious legal and personal consequences.