BRIDPORT PUB LANDLORD DAVID SHEPHERD SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN THE PHILIPPINES

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Bridport and the wider Dorset area, David Shepherd, a 60-year-old pub landlord, was sentenced to life imprisonment for a series of heinous child sex offences committed abroad in the Philippines. The court heard that Shepherd traveled to Southeast Asia, where he engaged in and documented the sexual abuse of children as young as eight years old.

Shepherd’s criminal activities came to light after his arrest in November 2015 at the Loders Arms pub, a venue where he had been serving as landlord for approximately six months. Authorities uncovered a disturbing collection of evidence that traced his offending back to 2007, revealing a pattern of abuse that spanned several years and continents.

During the investigation, police discovered that Shepherd had physically assaulted four girls under the age of 13 while in the Philippines. In addition to these in-person abuses, he was found to have been actively involved in the online exploitation of children, directing and paying for live “shows” involving Filipino minors, some as young as 17 months old. These live broadcasts were streamed over the internet, with Shepherd paying for and facilitating these disturbing acts.

Further evidence revealed that Shepherd had a vast collection of illicit material, including tens of thousands of indecent images and videos of children. Authorities found extensive files stored on his computer and external hard drives, containing material he had downloaded over time. The case was complex, involving multiple hearings at Dorchester Crown Court, where a jury convicted Shepherd on 22 counts of sexual offences against children. These included charges of rape, attempted rape, producing indecent movies of children, and paying for sexual services involving minors.

Shepherd admitted to 10 counts related to arranging and facilitating child sex offences, as well as possessing a staggering 20,207 indecent images and videos. Despite his admissions, the court imposed a life sentence, with a minimum term of 14 years before he could be considered for parole.

The presiding judge, Peter Johnson, delivered a stern judgment, condemning Shepherd’s actions and character. He stated, “You have no moral boundaries. You have shown no remorse. Your acts will haunt your victims for the rest of their days. Their innocence has been taken from them. You have a deeply engraved sexual interest in young children. You are unquestionably a danger. This life sentence reflects the public abhorrence for your shocking crimes.”

Throughout the proceedings, Shepherd maintained denial regarding his physical contact with children in the Philippines, despite overwhelming evidence including videos, travel records, and financial transactions that contradicted his claims. The case has left a lasting scar on the victims and serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such offenders.