EDWARD FARRELL FROM NYTHE SENTENCED FOR SEX ABUSE IN SWINDON

In September 2016, a man named Edward Farrell, residing in Nythe, was sentenced to a prison term of three years and four months after being found guilty of multiple sexual offenses involving a young girl. The case revealed disturbing details of Farrell's prolonged abuse, which took place over a span of two years, from 2004 to 2006.

According to court proceedings, Farrell, aged 52 at the time, repeatedly molested the young girl during his care for her. The prosecution, led by Tessa Hingston, outlined that Farrell's misconduct was not limited to physical acts alone but also involved the covert recording of his abuse. On at least one occasion, he used a phone or a small camera concealed within a cigarette packet to film himself engaging in sexual acts with the girl. Despite these allegations, no footage was ever recovered or presented as evidence in court.

Hingston detailed that Farrell would often press and rub himself against the girl during his caregiving duties. She also reported that he would instruct her to wear tight black trousers and bend over in front of him, creating an environment of ongoing exploitation. The girl recounted that she believed Farrell was filming her, based on her observations of the cigarette packet with a camera or phone inside, although no recordings were found.

The final incident described in court involved Farrell pushing the girl onto a sofa and climbing on top of her while both were fully clothed. The girl testified that she feared he might rape her if she did not scream for help. Although Farrell ceased the assault at that moment, the trauma inflicted left lasting scars. The girl did not report the abuse immediately but later provided police with notes she had kept at the time, documenting the incidents.

In her victim personal statement, she revealed the profound psychological impact of the abuse. She shared that she had contemplated suicide, including thoughts of throwing herself down stairs and stabbing herself. She also described feeling physically sick whenever she heard Farrell's name and noted that her ability to form intimate relationships had been severely affected by her experiences.

Farrell, who lives on Kimmeridge Close in Nythe, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual offenses against a child. His defense attorney, Andrew Hobson, expressed Farrell's remorse, stating, "He does want me to say very clearly that he fully accepts everything that he did. It doesn’t go very far, but he is very, very sorry for what he did and deeply regrets it. He says he does not remember what he did. What he did to her was sickening in the extreme."

Judge Tim Mousley QC delivered the sentence, emphasizing the severity and prolonged nature of Farrell's abuse. The judge remarked, "Your prolonged sexual abuse of her is reflected in the three counts on the indictment that you pleaded guilty to, and I have to sentence you for. Your conduct towards her was repeated over several months. The effect of what you did upon her is plain to see for anyone who heard what she has said. The effect has been prolonged and it continues. She may never be able to move on completely from what you did to her, and it affects her in every aspect of her life. That is what makes what you did to her particularly serious."

Furthermore, the judge ordered Farrell to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and imposed a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim in any capacity. The court's decision underscores the gravity of his crimes and the lasting impact on the young girl involved.