EXMOUTH MAN DAVID THOMPSON SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS FOR ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRL IN WORCESTERSHIRE

In a case that has shocked the local community of Exmouth and the surrounding areas, David Thompson, a 56-year-old man from Colleton Close in Exmouth, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 17 years for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against a young girl in Worcestershire. The court proceedings, held at Exeter Crown Court, revealed the disturbing extent of Thompson's crimes, which spanned over a decade and involved multiple forms of sexual assault.

Thompson pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted rape, six counts of sexual assault, and fourteen counts of indecent assault or indecency. The judge, Recorder Mr. Martin Meeke, QC, emphasized the severity of the offenses and the profound impact on the victim, who was between the ages of 10 and 18 during the abuse. As part of his sentence, Thompson was ordered to serve an additional year on extended license, and he will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Furthermore, an indefinite sexual harm prevention order was imposed, restricting his contact with children after his release from prison.

The court heard that Thompson's abuse began when he was 35 years old, targeting a girl in Evesham, Worcestershire. The victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous, endured hundreds of sexual assaults and attempted rapes during this period. Prosecutor Richard Crabb recounted that the victim had made a statement describing her coping mechanism during the abuse, saying, “I would always keep my eyes closed so I could not see what he was doing.”

The abuse was only brought to light in January of this year, when Thompson attempted to contact the victim. She confided in her mother-in-law, which led to police involvement. The court was also informed that Thompson, upon the victim’s decision to report the crimes, attempted to take his own life. He inflicted a self-attack by cutting his own throat, an act that left him dependent on a feeding tube for sustenance. This suicide attempt underscored the profound psychological toll the crimes and subsequent revelations had on him.

During sentencing, Judge Meeke described Thompson’s attitude towards his victim as contemptuous and callous. He stated, “Your victim never cooperated in any way. You never showed any regard for her at all. She was an object used by you for sexual gratification. Your activity indicated an attitude bordering on contempt.” The judge further remarked that the catalogue of abuse was “appalling,” and that even now, the victim feels vulnerable, frightened, and alone. She has described how Thompson’s actions robbed her of her childhood and continue to torment her, as he seemingly lives his life unaffected by the suffering he caused.

Prosecutor Crabb highlighted that the offenses date back to the 1990s, and although Thompson admitted to 50 offenses, the true number is believed to be in the hundreds over the nine-year period of abuse. The court’s decision reflects the gravity of the crimes and the lasting damage inflicted upon the victim, emphasizing the need for strict measures to prevent Thompson from harming others in the future.