DAVID MULLINGER SENTENCED IN YATE FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF NINE-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND TRAGIC FAMILY LOSS

In a deeply distressing case that has shocked the community of Yate and the surrounding areas, the tragic consequences of child sexual abuse have come to light. The incident unfolded in September 2014, when a woman, overwhelmed by the devastating revelations about her husband's actions, chose to end her life.

David Mullinger, aged 64 and a resident of Rangeworthy in South Gloucestershire, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a young girl under the age of 13. The court heard that Mullinger had engaged in inappropriate conduct on two separate occasions, including once under the child's clothing. The details of these offenses emerged after the young girl confided in her mother, revealing that Mullinger had been 'fiddling' with her. This disclosure prompted the child's mother to contact the police immediately.

Initially, Mullinger denied any involvement in the abuse. However, just two days after the allegations surfaced, he contacted law enforcement officers in tears, admitting responsibility for the assaults. This confession marked a turning point in the case, leading to his subsequent arrest and prosecution.

Following Mullinger's admission, his wife, Jenny Mullinger, 62, was overwhelmed by the emotional toll of the situation. On September 16, she tragically took her own life by walking in front of a train near the railway station in Yate. Emergency services arrived at the scene at approximately 8:03 am, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

During the court proceedings at Bristol Crown Court, Mullinger pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13. Judge Martin Picton described the case as 'a desperately sad case,' emphasizing the profound harm caused by Mullinger's actions. The judge sentenced him to three years in prison and imposed an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with children under 16.

Defense lawyer Virginia Cornwall acknowledged the remorse Mullinger feels, stating, 'He feels the impact daily. He suffers himself daily. He bears responsibility and knows the consequences such as the loss of his wife. She took her own life and that has impacted on everyone for the rest of their lives.'

Prosecutor Kenneth Bell presented a victim impact statement from the mother of the abused girl. She described her daughter as a once happy, carefree, and innocent child who was unaware of sexual matters before the abuse. The mother expressed her heartbreak and concern for her child's future, stating, 'Now this is no longer the case. The anger she feels about what happened to her is immense. My heart breaks at the thought of the long journey that lies ahead for her in order to recover from something like this.'

The case has left a lasting scar on the community of Yate, highlighting the devastating effects of child abuse and the profound personal tragedies that can follow such crimes.