KENNETH TUCKER RACKENFORD DEVON: HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE SENTENCE FOR PENSIONER

In a case that has shocked the community of Rackenford near Tiverton, Devon, Kenneth Tucker, an 84-year-old retired farmer and agricultural engineer, has been sentenced to an extensive prison term of 21 and a half years for the heinous sexual abuse of four young girls spanning over a decade. The abuse, which took place during the 1980s and 1990s, was characterized by a pattern of escalating violence and manipulation, leaving indelible scars on the victims.

During the proceedings at Exeter Crown Court, Judge Graham Cottle delivered a stern and condemnatory sentence, emphasizing the severity of Tucker’s actions. The judge described Tucker’s conduct as “perfectly dreadful” and condemned the fact that he used his victims as mere objects for his sexual gratification, exploiting their innocence and trust. The court heard that Tucker’s victims, who ranged in age from as young as six to 14 years old at the time of the abuse, suffered psychological trauma that will likely affect them for the rest of their lives.

Relief and emotional release were evident among the victims, who sobbed with relief in the public gallery as the sentence was announced. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which the justice system treats historic cases of sexual abuse, reaffirming that such crimes will be pursued regardless of the passage of time. Police officials have praised the bravery of the victims, acknowledging their courage in coming forward after many years of silence.

Kenneth Tucker’s abuse took place at his smallholding in Rackenford, a quiet rural area near Tiverton, where he would often host the girls during their holiday visits. The victims recounted that Tucker initially gained their trust by offering sweets and treats, gradually escalating to more sinister forms of manipulation. The abuse became increasingly severe, with some victims being forced to perform oral sex, and two of them being raped. One victim had reported the abuse at the time, but no action was taken until three other victims came forward in 2013 and 2014, prompting a police investigation.

Throughout the trial, Tucker denied all allegations, maintaining that he had never engaged in any sexual activity with the girls. However, the jury found him guilty of four counts of rape and 17 counts of indecent assault, covering offenses committed between 1984 and 1998. The victims, now adults, described how the abuse often occurred during playtime or when they were alone with Tucker, who would manipulate them through games and affectionate gestures that gradually turned into sexual assaults. One particularly disturbing incident involved Tucker raping a girl in a bathroom when she was just 11 years old.

The court heard that Tucker’s abuse started innocuously, with playful activities such as blowing raspberries on their tummies, but soon progressed to more invasive acts, including throwing the girls in the air and touching them inappropriately. The most serious assault involved raping one girl while she was helping him with renovation work in a bathroom. The victims expressed that their initial visits to Tucker’s farm were enjoyable, as he provided treats and allowed them to care for his chickens, but their feelings changed drastically after the abuse began, leading them to refuse future visits.

One of the victims had previously reported Tucker’s inappropriate behavior to a teacher in the 1990s, but no police action was taken at that time. It was only after the other victims came forward that the case was reopened and Tucker was brought to justice. The police, represented by Detective Constable Simon Scotthorne, praised the victims’ bravery and emphasized that the case sends a clear message: no matter how long ago the offenses occurred, they will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted. Tucker’s medical condition, which includes being wheelchair-bound and partially blind, was noted by the court, but it did not mitigate the severity of his sentence.

As Tucker begins his prison term, the community and the victims alike are left to grapple with the aftermath of these disturbing events. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need to protect vulnerable children from predators, regardless of the passage of time.