GRAHAM TALLIS FROM CAMELFORD SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG GIRL

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Camelford, Graham Tallis, a 37-year-old man from Moor View, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of a series of heinous sexual offences committed against a young girl. The victim, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, demonstrated remarkable bravery by coming forward to report the abuse, a move that ultimately led to Tallis's conviction.

According to court proceedings held at Truro Crown Court, Tallis had been grooming the girl from a very tender age, with the abuse spanning over a decade. The court heard that Tallis had admitted to multiple counts of sexual assault, including three counts of sexually assaulting the girl, eight counts of raping her, and one count of assaulting her by penetration. These offences took place over a period of ten years, highlighting a prolonged pattern of predatory behavior.

It was also revealed during the hearing that Tallis had a prior conviction for indecent assault against a different girl when he was a teenager. He openly acknowledged that he harbored feelings towards children that he found difficult to control, which contributed to his offending behavior. His defense attorney, Ed Bailey, emphasized that Tallis was the primary breadwinner for his family and had sacrificed a promising career due to his actions. Bailey also pointed out that Tallis had expressed some remorse, although the sincerity of this remorse was questioned by the court. The defense argued that Tallis reflected on his actions in private, particularly when given the opportunity to do so during a psychiatric assessment.

Judge Simon Carr, presiding over the case, described the circumstances of Tallis’s crimes as among the worst imaginable. He emphasized that the abuse began when the victim was very young and continued until she found the courage to speak out. The judge noted that Tallis had deliberately groomed the girl, telling her that her secret was safe and instructing her not to tell anyone, thereby exerting control and manipulation over her. The judge highlighted the profound psychological damage inflicted upon the victim, which would likely affect her for the rest of her life, alongside physical injuries.

Judge Carr acknowledged that Tallis had shown some degree of courage himself by pleading guilty, thereby sparing the victim from the trauma of a trial. However, he criticized Tallis for failing to fully grasp the gravity of his actions. The judge pointed out that Tallis’s psychiatric report suggested he believed he had obtained consent from the girl, which was entirely false given her age and vulnerability. The court made it clear that no child could ever give genuine consent to such acts.

As a result of his convictions, Tallis was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with an extended license period of eight years. This means he will serve a minimum of ten years before being eligible for parole. Additionally, he will be subject to lifelong registration as a sex offender and will be subject to strict license conditions for the remainder of his life. Tallis was also issued a sexual offences prevention order, further restricting his activities and movements.

Earlier, in November 2014, Tallis had admitted to the charges in a plea hearing, acknowledging the seriousness of his crimes. The court had scheduled his sentencing for February 6, 2015, after a psychiatric report was prepared to assess his mental state and risk factors. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Camelford, highlighting the importance of vigilance and the courage of victims to come forward in the face of such disturbing abuse.