GRAHAM GODBEER'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN HATHERLEIGH AND NORTH DEVON REVEALED

Graham Godbeer, a resident of Veale Close in Hatherleigh, became the focus of a long and disturbing investigation into child sexual abuse that spanned several decades. His criminal activities first came to light after police uncovered a series of heinous offenses committed in North Devon, with the earliest known incident dating back to the late 1970s. During that period, Godbeer, then in his early twenties, manipulated a five-year-old girl by offering her ice creams and enticing her to go on outings. These seemingly innocent gestures were the beginning of a pattern of grooming and abuse that would continue in remote lay-bys across North Devon, where he subjected the young girl to sexual assault. He used threats and psychological manipulation, warning her that no one would believe her if she disclosed what was happening, effectively silencing her for over 30 years.

It was only after he was arrested in September 2011 for abusing a second girl—whose parents he had befriended—that the full extent of his crimes was uncovered. The police investigation revealed a trove of disturbing evidence, including child abuse images stored on six mobile phones, along with text messages exchanged with other paedophiles. These messages detailed their experiences and shared grooming techniques, raising concerns that Godbeer might have been involved in a broader network of offenders. Authorities are actively trying to trace a girl who was filmed being abused in one of the images, which they suspect may have been sent to him by a fellow paedophile. The investigation also aims to determine whether Godbeer’s abuse extended over the 30-year period between the initial offenses and the later crimes.

At Exeter Crown Court, Graham Godbeer faced multiple charges. He denied raping and committing indecency against his first victim but was ultimately found guilty by a jury. He admitted to sexual assault on the second girl, as well as possessing child pornography and extreme adult pornography. The court heard harrowing details of his crimes, including a particularly serious incident where he raped a girl around the age of seven on multiple occasions, causing her significant physical pain. The judge, Mr. Justice John Neligan, sentenced him to a total of 16 years and seven months in prison, emphasizing the profound psychological harm inflicted upon his victims.

During the sentencing, the judge described the gravity of Godbeer’s actions, stating, “You took a girl out in your car and started by indecently assaulting her, causing her considerable physical pain. The most serious offence was a rape, committed when she was about seven. You raped her on several occasions, and she described the pain she suffered. In her victim impact statement, she explains how she was deprived of a normal childhood and continues to suffer emotional distress.” The court also heard from the second victim’s mother, who reported that her daughter has struggled with sleep and nightmares since the abuse, with noticeable changes at school.

Prosecutor Mr. Richard Crabb highlighted that Godbeer’s arrest was triggered by a ten-year-old girl’s mother, who reported that her daughter had been touched and kissed by Godbeer during a visit. This led police to discover the disturbing images and messages on his phones, which ultimately prompted the victim to come forward after three decades of silence. The investigation uncovered not only the images but also messages from other men discussing the sexual abuse of children and sharing grooming tips. Police also found videos, including one showing Godbeer naked with a Jack Russell dog, which caused distress to the dog’s owner, who was Godbeer’s ex-wife.

Defence lawyer Miss Kelly Scrivener acknowledged Godbeer’s remorse and his admission of the most recent offenses. She pointed out that he is a grandfather and has not seen his three grandchildren since entering custody. Following the trial, law enforcement officials revealed ongoing efforts to trace other potential victims and to identify the source of the images, including a video of a girl being abused that they believe was not obtained from the internet. Detective Sergeant Rob Kingdom from the Devon and Cornwall child protection unit described the case as one of the most disturbing they have encountered, emphasizing the long-standing and predatory nature of Godbeer’s conduct. He expressed gratitude to the victims for their bravery and noted that investigations are still active, with hopes of uncovering additional offenders and victims who may have been affected over the years.