JOHN HUMPHREYS SENTENCED TO 21 YEARS IN PRISON IN EXMOUTH FOR HISTORIC SEXUAL OFFENCES

John Humphreys, aged 59, was recently convicted by a jury and has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for historic sexual offences involving two boys. Both victims, aged between 12 and 15 at the time of the incidents, reported separately almost a decade apart. Humphreys, who served as the Mayor of Exmouth from 2010 to 2012, targeted one boy aged 12 to 13 between 1990 and 1991, and a different victim in the late 1990s, when he was 14 to 15 years old.

The first victim was assaulted after Humphreys met him at a public toilet in Exmouth, with the abuse continuing at various addresses in the town and a shelter near Woodbury Common. The second victim was abused while on work experience at Humphreys' home address.

Jill Macnamara of the Crown Prosecution Service stated: "This case demonstrates we do not hesitate to prosecute perpetrators of sexual abuse where there is sufficient evidence regardless of how long ago the crimes were committed. It takes courage to come forward as an adult to report what happened to you as a child, especially when the offender held a position of power within the community. The victims have shown great strength and bravery in supporting the prosecution, and I would like to thank them for their resilience."

Police Sergeant Angela Galasso of Devon and Cornwall Police commented: "This has been a lengthy investigation into historic sexual offences from the early and late 1990s, which occurred over 25 years ago. The sentencing today confirms that nobody is above the law, regardless of their standing in the community. I am grateful to the victims for their patience, trust, and tenacity in pursuing justice. Both victims expressed fears that they would never be believed or their complaints taken seriously, and I sincerely hope this conviction brings them validation and the ability to move forward with their lives."