JOHN TREMAIN, FORMER NORTHAM COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION TRUSTEE, JAILED IN NORTHAM FOR ABUSE

In June 2014, John Tremain, a 64-year-old former trustee and treasurer of the Northam Community Association, was sentenced to four years in prison for abusing a ten-year-old girl. Tremain, who had been involved with the charity that manages the Community Hall in Fore Street, Northam, was arrested following the abuse, which occurred during a visit to the girl’s home. The court was told he touched her beneath her clothing on between eight and ten occasions while she sat on his lap, and this misconduct was disclosed after the girl informed her mother.

Tremain had admitted to three sexual assaults during the hearing at Exeter Crown Court, where Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, handed down the sentence. The judge also ordered Tremain to remain on the sex offenders’ register for life and imposed a sexual offences prevention order that prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with children.

Addressing Tremain, the judge remarked, “I give you full credit for pleading guilty and accept what happened was also a tragedy for you.”

Prosecutor Richard Crabb detailed the offenses, stating that Tremain touched the girl under her clothes on multiple occasions. Tremain was quickly arrested and interviewed after the girl’s disclosure and subsequent admission.

Despite his criminal actions, Tremain had no prior convictions. His defense attorney, Nigel Wraith, emphasized that Tremain was not part of any wider paedophile ring and had cooperated with authorities, recognizing the harm caused. Wraith said, “His life has been completely shattered by his own actions, which he accepts has brought shame on himself. He has been married for 42 years and has two adult children.”

He added that Tremain had worked diligently throughout his life, was contemplating retirement, and had actively participated in local charities, including long-term service as treasurer and trustee for his community association, as well as recent fundraising for a hospice. Wraith concluded, “He knows it is his own fault that he has ruined the rest of his life. He is desperately sorry for what he did. At least he has had the decency to plead guilty at the earliest opportunity.”

As of the latest updates, John Tremain has been released and now resides in Bodmin.