BARRY TAYLOR'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN BODMIN: PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED FOR OFFENSES AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS

In May 2010, Barry John Bruce Taylor, a 26-year-old man from Bodmin, was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of multiple serious sexual offenses involving young girls. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior that spanned several years, highlighting Taylor's persistent engagement in illegal and morally reprehensible acts against minors.

Taylor, who resided on Tretawn Close, St Kew Highway near Bodmin in North Cornwall, had previously admitted to a series of sexual misconducts. These included having unlawful sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl, creating and possessing indecent images of children, and engaging in inappropriate conduct with a minor. His criminal record also includes a conviction from 2003 for under-age sexual activity, underscoring a troubling history of offending against young females.

The court heard that in September of the previous year, Taylor was caught topless inside a tent with a girl who was fully clothed. The girl, whose identity is protected due to her age, was only 15 at the time. Despite a court-imposed 12-month restraining order issued in October to prevent Taylor from contacting her, police had to intervene again in December when Taylor was caught violating this order.

Prosecutor Barry van den Berg detailed the events leading to Taylor’s latest arrest, stating, “Matters came to light on December 30 when mobile phones belonging to Taylor and the girl were seized, containing indecent images of the girl. During police interviews, Taylor admitted to knowing the girl’s age and acknowledged that sexual intercourse had occurred in October of that year. He also confessed to breaching the restraining order when he was seen leaving a pub with his arm around the girl.”

Defense lawyer Rupert Taylor argued that his client had shown remorse and had been a “model prisoner” since being remanded in custody in March. He pointed out that Taylor had cooperated with police, admitting guilt early in the investigation, and had not had any contact with the girl while in prison. Furthermore, Taylor had written a letter to the girl’s mother expressing his desire not to see her again.

Judge Christopher Elwen, presiding over the case, noted that the pre-sentence report highlighted Taylor’s “persistent pattern of sexual offending against children.” The judge acknowledged that Taylor had begun to address some of his behavioral issues but emphasized the gravity of his offenses. Consequently, Taylor was sentenced to four years in prison, with 105 days already served on remand, and was placed under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. This order prohibits him from seeking the company of anyone under 16 or sharing a residence with minors without parental or guardian consent. Additionally, Taylor was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

Earlier incidents in October 2009 also involved Taylor’s inappropriate conduct. He was caught in a tent with a girl in Bodmin, which led to charges of detaining or taking a child. During that incident, police found the girl in a tent in a friend’s backyard, partially covered by a duvet, with Taylor also inside and topless. Taylor admitted to police that the girl had come to his friend’s house because she did not want to return to her own residence. He claimed that he allowed her to stay overnight, although he insisted they kept separate sleeping arrangements and that she was fully clothed during her stay.

Following this incident, Taylor received a 12-month supervision order, a curfew from 8 pm to 6 am for three months, and was ordered to pay compensation and costs. Despite the relatively lenient sentence, the court’s actions reflect the serious concern over Taylor’s repeated offenses and the potential risk he poses to minors in the community of Bodmin and beyond. His case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and judicial authorities to protect vulnerable children from predatory individuals like Barry Taylor.