HAROLD SIDE SHAMES SHEPTON MALLET IN SEXUAL ABUSE CASE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Shepton Mallet, Harold Side, a 79-year-old former Ministry of Defence (MoD) staff driver residing at Holmecroft Court, was convicted of sexually abusing a young girl and subsequently faced severe legal repercussions. The incident, which has caused significant distress within his family and the wider community, culminated in a court hearing at Taunton Crown Court where the gravity of his actions was laid bare.

Harold Side was sentenced to 18 months in prison, a sentence that was suspended for two years, after being found guilty two months prior of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a minor. The court also imposed a five-year sexual offences prevention order on him and mandated that he register as a sex offender. These measures reflect the seriousness with which the judicial system views his conduct and aim to prevent any future offenses.

During the sentencing, Judge David Ticehurst did not hold back in his condemnation. He remarked to Side, “The police will want to know where you are living and what you are up to,” emphasizing the importance of monitoring his whereabouts. The judge further stated, “Any good character you may have had and anything you may have done of benefit in the past have been lost as a result of this conviction. You leave the court in disgrace and you should be thoroughly ashamed and disgusted with yourself.”

In addition to the custodial sentence, Side was ordered to pay £2,000 towards the prosecution costs, which totaled £3,900. Despite his protests of shame, the judge expressed concern over Side’s denial of the offense, citing “overwhelming evidence” that contradicted his claims of innocence. The court also highlighted the damaging impact of his actions on his family, stating, “Your conduct has divided your family,” underscoring the personal and social repercussions of his behavior.

Earlier in May 2013, the same individual faced a jury trial where he was accused of multiple charges related to sexual abuse. The jury, after nearly five hours of deliberation, convicted him by a majority verdict of 10-2 on three counts, while acquitting him of one. The charges stemmed from allegations that Side had engaged in non-penetrative sexual acts with a young girl aged between five and seven. The victim, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, claimed that Side had kissed her with his tongue and placed his hand on her legs multiple times. She confided that she did not tell anyone at the time out of fear that she would not be believed, and her parents did not act when she eventually disclosed the abuse.

Side maintained his innocence during the trial, asserting that he only kissed the girl on both cheeks “Italian fashion” and that he had once placed his hand on her thigh while sitting on a sofa. He denied any inappropriate touching or sexual interest in children, claiming, “I have never kissed her on the lips and touched her between her legs inappropriately,” and insisted, “I am not sexually frustrated.”

His wife, who testified during the trial, described the girl as “a wild child” and denied that Side had been alone with her on several occasions. She also refuted claims that she had lied on his behalf, asserting that if she knew he was guilty, she would leave him. The prosecution, led by William Hunter, argued that the girl’s consistent account of the abuse indicated her truthfulness, especially given her background, which included a mother struggling with drug addiction and an alcoholic father. The prosecution emphasized that the girl’s allegations were credible and not fabricated.

Harold Side was ultimately ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register, a measure that will have lasting implications for his life and reputation. The case has left a lasting scar on the community of Shepton Mallet, raising questions about trust, safety, and the impact of such allegations on families and individuals involved.