BARRY WRIGHT FROM TORRINGTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN DEVON

In December 2006, a disturbing case unfolded involving Barry Wright, a 70-year-old former school caretaker from Torrington, Devon, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for heinous acts of sexual assault against a young girl. The conviction followed a detailed trial at Exeter Crown Court, where Wright was found guilty of multiple charges, including one count of attempted rape, six counts of indecent assault, and two counts of assault on a child.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Wright had committed his crimes within the confines of a school gymnasium and in the privacy of his own bedroom. The court heard harrowing testimony from the victims, who recounted how Wright exploited his position of trust to carry out these abusive acts. Despite his insistence on innocence and claims that the girls had fabricated their stories, the evidence presented was compelling enough to secure a conviction.

The presiding judge, Miranda Robertshaw, did not hold back in her condemnation of Wright’s actions. She emphasized that no child should ever be subjected to such abuse and stated that Wright’s denial of the charges had caused additional trauma for the victims, forcing them to relive their painful experiences during the trial. The judge described Wright’s conduct as a gross violation of trust, noting that his offenses had robbed the victims of their innocence.

Judge Robertshaw characterized Wright as having a 'perverted character,' despite his outward appearance of being a friendly, caring, and generous individual. She pointed out that beneath this facade lurked a deeply deviant and perverted personality, capable of exploiting vulnerable children for his own gratification. The court also highlighted that Wright’s offending was facilitated by grooming tactics, including the giving of gifts, money, and shopping trips, which further manipulated the victims and lowered their defenses.

As part of his sentence, Wright was ordered to remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life. Additionally, the court imposed eight strict orders, each lasting at least 20 years, to regulate his future interactions with children and young people under the age of 17. These measures aim to prevent any further harm and ensure public safety, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the lasting impact on his victims.