KEVIN SNOW FROM WILLAND JAILED FOR ABUSING BOY IN DEVON NEAR TIVERTON
In a case that has spanned over three decades, Kevin Snow, a 52-year-old man from Willand, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing a young boy during the early 1980s in Devon.The victim, who was only 12 and 13 years old at the time, finally found the courage to come forward and report the abuse after many years of silence, which was triggered by a chance encounter with Snow.
Snow’s criminal actions took place when he was approximately 16 or 17 years old, while residing in Witheridge, a village near Tiverton.
Despite the long passage of time, the court heard that Snow’s life had been largely blameless and productive for over thirty years prior to his conviction.
The case was particularly complex because Snow had faced two previous trials, both of which were aborted due to unforeseen circumstances.
During the first scheduled trial, Snow was involved in a motorcycle accident that resulted in a severe leg injury, preventing him from attending court.
On the eve of the second trial, Snow attempted to take his own life by overdosing, which led to his hospitalization at Derriford Hospital, where he was treated for a week after being airlifted from his home in Willand.
At Exeter Crown Court, Judge Graham Cottle sentenced Snow to four years in prison after he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including sexual assault and two counts of indecent assault.
The judge acknowledged Snow’s difficult upbringing, which included physical abuse while living with his grandmother, and noted that Snow had managed to run successful businesses despite being unable to read or write when he left school.
However, the judge emphasized the gravity of the offences, which occurred when Snow was a teenager, and the profound impact on the victim.
Judge Cottle stated, “These offences took place when you were 16 and 17, many years ago, and since that time you have lived a blameless existence.
I have to consider your circumstances at the time of these offences.
You had a very difficult upbringing, and I must take that into account.
One of these offences would now be classified as rape, and I must also consider the suffering endured by your victim.” The victim, who chose to remain anonymous, provided a statement expressing relief that Snow had finally admitted his guilt, but also detailed the emotional toll the delayed justice process had taken on him.
He described feeling vulnerable, humiliated, and suffering from mental health issues as a result of the abuse.
The victim’s statement highlighted the substantial and lasting effects of Snow’s actions, including the need to take time off work and the ongoing trauma caused by the prolonged legal proceedings.
Prosecutor Nigel Wraith recounted that Snow’s offences occurred in the early 1980s when he was living in Witheridge.
The victim did not disclose the abuse at the time, choosing instead to suppress his memories until 2003 or 2004.
His recollections were triggered when he saw Snow driving past him while Snow was working as a driving instructor.
It was only nine years later that he felt able to report the crimes to the police, revealing that he had been subjected to repeated abuse over approximately a year.
Gareth Evans, representing Snow, explained that his client had endured a troubled childhood marked by physical abuse from his grandmother.
Despite these hardships, Snow managed to establish and run successful businesses, although he was forced to give up his driving school following his convictions.
Evans also noted that a probation assessment concluded Snow posed no risk to children and described him as emotionally immature at the time of the offences.
In a related case from June 2016, Snow admitted to serious sexual offences against a boy during the 1980s.
The court was told that Snow, of Fir Close, Willand, pleaded guilty to buggery and two counts of indecent assault on the same victim.
The case had been scheduled for trial twice before, but Snow’s health issues—namely a broken leg from a road accident and an overdose—prevented him from attending court.
Judge Jeremy Griggs adjourned sentencing to allow for a probation report and acknowledged Snow’s decision to accept responsibility, which spared the victim from giving further evidence.
The judge also noted Snow’s inability to remember the details of the offences but accepted his acknowledgment of the victim’s account.
Snow was granted bail pending sentencing.
