COLIN DANCE EXMOUTH PAEDOPHILE BANNED FROM TOWN AS HE TRIES TO RETURN FROM CHUDLEIGH

In a significant development, Colin Dance, a convicted sex offender originally from Exmouth, has been officially prohibited from returning to the town following his recent release from prison. Dance, who now resides in Chudleigh, had planned to move back to his hometown next week, specifically to a flat on the High Street in Budleigh Salterton, which is owned by a family member. However, authorities have imposed strict conditions on his early release, including a ban from entering Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton, effectively preventing him from returning to these areas.

Dance, aged 60 at the time of his sentencing, was convicted in 2012 of a series of heinous sexual offenses against an underage girl. His crimes involved grooming and abuse that spanned several years, beginning when the victim was just six years old. The court heard that Dance had systematically exploited the young girl during the 1970s and 1980s, with the victim later describing her experiences as so traumatic that she dreamed of killing him to make the abuse stop. Despite his conviction, Dance was granted parole after serving approximately half of his seven-and-a-half-year sentence.

The decision to ban Dance from returning to Exmouth and Budleigh was made by the Probation Service, which cited community safety and the need to prevent potential conflicts as reasons for the restriction. His sister, Tracey, 49, from Withycombe Raleigh, expressed her strong disapproval of her brother’s release, stating, “They should throw away the key. He’s never admitted he’s guilty or shown any remorse.”

Dance’s criminal history is extensive. He was convicted at Exeter Crown Court, where a jury found him guilty of multiple counts of sexual abuse, including grooming and indecent assault. The court was told that Dance had groomed his victim from a young age, forcing her to perform sex acts over several years. The jury also convicted him of one act of indecent assault on a child under 14, which involved forcing himself upon the young girl during the same period.

Detective Constable Michael Chalmers, who led the investigation into Dance’s crimes before retiring, commented on the case, saying, “It’s disappointing when offenders who are convicted and sentenced to serve several years are then granted liberty after a much shorter time. The victim will carry the scars of her abuse for the rest of her life. Thankfully, she is a survivor— a strong, courageous woman who has achieved justice for the terrible crimes committed against her.”

Chalmers also warned Dance to adhere strictly to his parole conditions, which include staying away from Exmouth and Budleigh. Any violation of these restrictions could result in immediate imprisonment. The parole conditions also permit limited visits to see his 92-year-old mother in Budleigh, provided he follows a pre-arranged route that avoids Exmouth. If he deviates from this route, he risks being jailed.

Furthermore, Dance is prohibited from contacting or approaching his victim or any witnesses involved in his case, who are scattered across the county. He is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, March 8, and will initially reside in a bail hostel in Camborne, Cornwall, for three months before moving to a similar facility in Exeter for another three months. During this period, he will be subject to a strict curfew from 7 pm to 9 am.

On release, Dance is required to register as a sex offender and cannot seek removal from the register for at least 15 years. He must also inform authorities if he begins a new relationship, and any vehicle he owns or acquires must be logged with the Probation Service. These conditions are part of his ongoing supervision, which will remain in place until 2020, when he will be nearly 70 years old.

Dance’s parole was granted as part of Operation Goodrich, an investigation into historic sex crimes. This operation also involved the exhumation of the remains of his sister, Binny Day, who died in 1989 after falling from cliffs at Budleigh at the age of 27. Police investigations revealed that Binny had been subjected to prolonged sexual abuse and violent rape, although no charges were filed related to her case, and her death was not directly linked to Dance’s conviction.

Overall, the community remains cautious and vigilant regarding Dance’s presence, especially given the restrictions placed on him and the serious nature of his crimes. Authorities emphasize that he must comply fully with his parole conditions to avoid further legal consequences, and the community continues to grapple with the scars left by his actions.