GLEN PEARSON FROM BIDEFORD CAUGHT TRYING TO KIDNAP NINE-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN DEVON TOWN

In December 2019, a disturbing incident unfolded in the seaside town of Westward Ho!, located in Devon, involving a man named Glen Pearson from Bideford. Pearson, who has openly admitted to being a paedophile, was involved in an attempted abduction and sexual assault that has left a lasting impact on the local community and the victims involved.

On a Sunday during the August Bank Holiday weekend, Pearson, aged 56 and residing on High Street in Bideford, approached two young girls who were playing together in the street. The girls, one just five years old and the other nine, had been enjoying their afternoon when Pearson, who was staying in a nearby flat, approached them with malicious intent.

According to reports, Pearson's actions were both predatory and alarming. He put his hands inside the shorts of the five-year-old girl, attempting to touch her inappropriately. Simultaneously, he tried to persuade her nine-year-old friend to leave her home and accompany him to his flat. The incident was witnessed by the children and caused significant distress, with both girls experiencing nightmares and increased insecurity afterward.

Details of the incident emerged during a court hearing at Exeter Crown Court. Prosecutor Miss Rachel Drake explained that the assault occurred around 6 pm on August 25. The young girls had been playing near the flats where Pearson was staying when the events unfolded. The five-year-old girl returned home and confided in her mother about the inappropriate touching, describing it as someone touching her 'bits.' Meanwhile, the nine-year-old girl told her father that Pearson had asked her to go back to his flat with him, leaving her brother behind. She managed to find an excuse and returned home safely.

Pearson later admitted to police that he was likely to have sexually assaulted the nine-year-old girl had she gone to his flat. His confession confirmed the suspicions of the victims' families and the authorities. The mother of the five-year-old expressed her distress, stating that her daughter, once a confident and brave child, had become clingy and was suffering from nightmares since the incident. The father of the nine-year-old described his daughter as 'shell-shocked,' noting her decreased confidence and increased clinginess.

Glen Pearson pleaded guilty to charges of assault of a child by penetration and attempted abduction. Judge Peter Johnson sentenced him to five years and four months in prison. Additionally, Pearson was subjected to a one-year extended license period, placed on the sex offenders register for life, and issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. This order prohibits any future contact with children and grants police authority to monitor his online activity to prevent further offenses.

During the sentencing, the judge highlighted Pearson's long-standing history of viewing child abuse images online, which demonstrated his sexual interest in children. Pearson admitted to police that he had a dependency on alcohol at the time of the incident, which may have influenced his behavior. The court was told that Pearson had sought help in the past to manage his tendencies but had not been able to fully control them.

Defense lawyer Mr. Lee Bremridge acknowledged Pearson's honesty with law enforcement, emphasizing his frank admission of being a paedophile. The case has raised serious concerns within the community about child safety and the importance of vigilant supervision in residential areas like Westward Ho! and Bideford.