DAVID HARGREAVES EXETER AND EXMOUTH SEX ABUSE SCANDAL: CAR DEALER SENTENCED FOR 18 YEARS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Exeter and Exmouth, David Hargreaves, a car dealer with connections to both locations, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for the sexual abuse of three young boys. The abuse took place over a period spanning from 1992 to 1997, during which Hargreaves exploited the trust of his victims through a pattern of grooming and manipulation.

Hargreaves, who was in his 30s at the time, gained the confidence of the boys by taking them on outings to amusement arcades and swimming trips in Exmouth and Dawlish. These outings served as a means to establish a bond and lull the boys into a false sense of security. Once trust was established, he persuaded them to engage in sexual acts, some of which occurred at a caravan or parked cabin cruiser at his brother’s garage in Exeter. One of the victims was paid to allow Hargreaves to touch him, leaving the boy feeling as though he was a prostitute, a detail that underscores the disturbing nature of the abuse.

The victims, who were aged between 12 and 15 at the time, kept their suffering bottled up for many years due to feelings of shame and embarrassment. It was only after one of them reported the abuse to the police in 2018 that a comprehensive investigation was launched. The subsequent inquiry uncovered a pattern of grooming behavior, including Hargreaves offering lifts in his luxury cars—vehicles he had access to through his employment at his brother’s garage and car dealership. These gestures were part of his manipulative tactics to impress and control the boys.

Unbeknownst to the victims at the time, Hargreaves was already a convicted sex offender. His prior convictions included exposing himself to two 11-year-old boys and groping a 13-year-old girl in an ice cream hut in Exmouth. Despite these convictions, he continued to offend, which was revealed during the trial.

Hargreaves, now aged 61 and previously residing in Exeter and Dunsford, but currently living in Braintree, Essex, denied nine counts of indecent assault or indecency. However, a jury at Exeter Crown Court found him guilty on all charges. The judge, Recorder Mr. Philip Mott, KC, sentenced him to 18 years in prison, with an additional five-year extended license. He was also declared a dangerous offender, reflecting the serious risk he poses to the public.

During the sentencing, the judge emphasized the vulnerability of the victims, noting that their home circumstances and age made them particularly susceptible to Hargreaves’ grooming. The psychological impact on the victims was profound, damaging their relationships with family members and causing lasting emotional scars. The judge acknowledged the bravery of the victims in coming forward after so many years, stating, “The victims are to be congratulated for their bravery in speaking out. It took a lot of courage to do so after such a long time. Nothing can undo the damage this defendant has done to them, but I hope this case’s outcome may help them begin to move on.”

Prosecutor Daniel Pawson-Pounds highlighted the pattern of grooming, noting that Hargreaves targeted boys who were vulnerable due to difficult domestic and family circumstances. The grooming process was consistent across all three victims, with Hargreaves exerting dominance that sometimes led the boys to believe they were consenting to his actions. The court heard that some of the boys initially allowed Hargreaves to do as he wished, under the influence of his manipulative tactics.

Hargreaves maintained his innocence throughout the trial, claiming that the boys had conspired to fabricate the charges. He insisted he had never paid any of the boys for sex and told the jury, “I’m not some kind of monster.” Despite his denials, the evidence and testimonies led to his conviction, marking a significant victory for justice in this troubling case.