IAN JOYNER FROM KINGSTEIGNTON SENTENCED TO 14.5 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN EXETER

In a case that has spanned decades and involved serious allegations, Ian Joyner, a 70-year-old man from Kingsteignton, has been sentenced to a substantial prison term of fourteen and a half years for multiple sexual offenses committed against a young girl. The conviction was handed down following a detailed trial at Exeter Crown Court, where Joyner was found guilty of two attempted rapes and five counts of indecent assault.

These disturbing crimes date back many years, with some of the offenses occurring after Joyner had left his military service. At the time of the incidents, he was working as a deep sea diver and residing near Exeter, in the county of Devon. The court heard that the offenses had a lasting impact on the victim, who has struggled to recover from the trauma inflicted upon her.

During the sentencing, Judge Erik Salomonsen addressed the court and emphasized the stark contrast between Joyner’s apparent life after the crimes and the suffering endured by his victim. The judge remarked that since committing the offenses, Joyner had led a life that was “blameless and remorse-free,” a statement that underscored the gravity of his actions and the enduring pain caused to the victim. The judge highlighted the victim’s lifelong suffering and her ongoing efforts to overcome the trauma, contrasting it sharply with Joyner’s lack of remorse.

Judge Salomonsen also pointed out that Joyner could have received a significant reduction in his sentence had he chosen to plead guilty. Instead, he opted to deny the allegations, which the court viewed as a deliberate attempt to evade responsibility. The court also found Joyner guilty of an unrelated assault causing actual bodily harm against a woman, further illustrating a pattern of violent and aggressive behavior.

Throughout the trial, it was revealed that Joyner was known to have a temper and was a heavy drinker during the period when the offenses took place. His life had seen various relocations across different parts of the country, and he had previously worked as a gamekeeper before settling in Devon. When questioned by police about the allegations, Joyner denied any knowledge of the accusations, asserting that he was not a violent man and had never engaged in sexual attacks.

In delivering the sentence, Judge Salomonsen acknowledged the complexity of the case, considering the totality of Joyner’s offending. The final sentence comprised thirteen and a half years in prison, with an additional year on license, reflecting the court’s determination to impose a severe penalty commensurate with the seriousness of the crimes committed in Kingsteignton and Exeter.