DEAN PERRY FROM LITTLEHAMPTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN EXETER

In a case that has shocked the local community, Dean Perry, a 20-year-old man from Littlehampton, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for engaging in sexual activities with three underage girls. The offences took place in Exeter, where Perry had been residing at the time of the incidents.

According to court records, Perry’s criminal behavior involved multiple instances of sexual contact with girls who were aged 13 and 14. The court heard that Perry, who has been diagnosed with learning difficulties and was assessed as having the mental age of a child approximately nine or ten years old, engaged in these acts while on bail, after initially being arrested for similar allegations.

The prosecution, led by Richard Crabb, detailed that Perry had a pattern of sending persistent and inappropriate text messages to the girls, including one who was only 13 at the time. This girl confided in her school friends about her interactions with Perry, which prompted police to become involved. During her interview with authorities, she mentioned another girl, aged 14, who had been friendly with Perry.

Subsequently, police spoke with this second girl, who admitted to having sexual contact with Perry during a visit to his house. Perry was arrested and taken into custody, where he was questioned about his actions. Further investigations revealed that Perry had also been involved with a third girl, also aged 14, while he was still on bail.

The third girl recounted that Perry had begun to contact her last year, bombarding her with messages asking for sex and even proposing marriage. She and two friends, aged 15, visited Perry’s house after he arranged the meeting. During this visit, Perry engaged in a sexual act with the girl in his bedroom, with her friends present in the house and able to hear what was happening.

Throughout the proceedings, it was noted that Perry had no prior criminal record. His defense attorney, Robert Duval, highlighted Perry’s traumatic childhood and learning difficulties, which he argued contributed to his poor judgment and lack of awareness regarding the consequences of his actions. Duval also mentioned that Perry had attempted self-harm while in custody and expressed concern about his psychological well-being, suggesting that prison could further harm him.

Judge Stephen Wildblood QC acknowledged the grooming behavior exhibited by Perry, particularly in his manipulation of the third girl into a sexual relationship. The judge made it clear from the outset that Perry would be sentenced to prison, emphasizing the seriousness of his actions. As part of his sentence, Perry was ordered to register as a sex offender and is subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order indefinitely. Additionally, he is prohibited from working with children for an indefinite period.

Furthermore, Perry’s time in custody will be deducted from his overall sentence, meaning he will serve half of his four-and-a-half-year term before being eligible for release on licence. The court’s decision underscores the gravity of the offences and the need to protect vulnerable minors from individuals like Perry.