EXMINSTER CHILD SEX OFFENDER IAN MAUNDER USED LOCKDOWN TO TARGET YOUNG CHILDREN

In a disturbing case that has shocked the quiet Devon village of Exminster, Ian Maunder, a known and dangerous sex offender, has been sentenced to prison after exploiting the COVID-19 lockdown period to gain access to vulnerable children in the community.

During April 2020, when strict lockdown measures were in place across the UK, Maunder, aged 54, presented himself as a helpful neighbor, offering assistance with shopping and errands to local families. His seemingly benign offers of help, however, concealed a sinister intent. Maunder took advantage of the isolation and trust placed in him by several families to get close to their young children.

He managed to persuade two mothers to allow him to babysit their children, both aged three, for short periods—one instance being on April 19. On April 22, Maunder took a four-year-old girl on three separate outings in his car. Two of these trips involved trips to the supermarket, each lasting approximately 45 minutes, while the third was a lengthy walk to a local beauty spot, lasting about an hour. During these outings, Maunder held the young girl’s hand during the walk, an act that breached court orders explicitly forbidding any contact with children.

Unbeknownst to the parents, Maunder’s past was far from innocent. He had a long history of sexual offenses, including a conviction in 1997 for abusing a young child. His criminal record was further compounded by his involvement in an international online paedophile network, which shared images and fantasies involving the abuse of very young girls. Authorities found him in possession of an extensive collection of indecent images, many depicting the rape and severe abuse of young girls, some of which he distributed.

Despite his criminal history, Maunder had been living in close proximity to the families for five years following his release from prison. It was only during the lockdown that he became socially involved with them, offering to help with childcare and errands. His interactions with the children, especially the four-year-old girl, were in direct violation of a court-ordered Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which explicitly prohibited any contact with children.

When police intervened and revealed Maunder’s past to the families, their shock and horror were palpable. The parents expressed their devastation, stating they had trusted Maunder and would never have allowed him near their children had they known his history. The mother of the four-year-old girl was particularly distressed, describing her feelings of betrayal and fear upon learning the truth.

During the court proceedings at Exeter Crown Court, Judge Timothy Rose sentenced Maunder to a year in prison for two breaches of the SOPO. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the case, noting that Maunder’s prior convictions and classification as a dangerous offender made his actions especially alarming. He pointed out that Maunder’s breaches of the court order, including holding the girl’s hand and sitting with her in his car, demonstrated a blatant disregard for the restrictions placed upon him.

Prosecutor Mr. Michael Brown highlighted that Maunder’s behavior appeared to be motivated by a desire to help families during the lockdown, but this was likely a facade for more sinister intentions. The court was told that Maunder’s history of offending, including his indefinite sentence for public protection (IPP) imposed in 2006, meant he was under strict supervision. The IPP, which is effectively a life sentence, would only be lifted when the parole board deemed it safe to do so.

Judge Rose also recalled Maunder on his previous IPP, reinforcing that he remains a high-risk individual. The judge warned Maunder that he should never have been in contact with children and that his actions posed a significant danger to the community. He stressed that Maunder’s knowledge of his restrictions since his release made his breaches even more egregious, and he expressed concern about the potential risk to other children in the future.

In conclusion, the court’s verdict underscored the gravity of Maunder’s violations and the ongoing threat he poses. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and strict enforcement of court orders designed to protect children from known offenders. The community of Exminster now grapples with the unsettling reality that a convicted sex offender exploited the vulnerabilities created by the pandemic to approach and endanger young children in their midst.