LIAM SOPER FROM NEWTON ABBOT FOUND GUILTY OF CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN EXETER CROWN COURT
| Red Rose Database
Newton Abbot Rapist
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Newton Abbot, Liam Soper, aged 26, has been convicted of a series of serious sexual offences involving two young girls. The crimes span a period during which Soper was himself a child or teenager, highlighting a troubling pattern of abuse that has only now come to light.
According to court proceedings, Soper-James committed his first known offences when he was just ten or eleven years old, during the early 2000s. Over the years, he continued to abuse both girls on multiple occasions, with the assaults escalating in severity. One of the victims, who was approximately 12 years old at the time, was subjected to an attempted rape by Soper-James. The other girl, who was only nine years old, was also touched inappropriately by him.
The trial at Exeter Crown Court revealed that Soper-James was responsible for a total of 16 criminal charges. The jury found him guilty of one count of attempted rape, two counts of inciting sexual activity with a child, five counts of sexual assault, and two counts of assault by penetration against one of the girls. In relation to the second girl, he was convicted of four sexual assaults, one assault by penetration, and one charge of inciting sexual activity with a child.
During the proceedings, the prosecution, led by Miss Rachel Drake, detailed how one girl was subjected to Soper-James’s inappropriate touching from the age of about six, while the other girl’s abuse began when she was nine. The court heard that the abuse included Soper-James touching both girls, forcing them to touch him, engaging in simulated sexual acts with one of them, and on one occasion, attempting to have sex with one of the victims.
One of the victims confided in her mother about the abuse at some point, but Soper-James, who was a teenager at the time, denied any wrongdoing, and initially, his claims were believed. It was only when the girls reached their late teens that they finally reported the abuse to the police, bringing the case to court.
Throughout the trial, Soper-James maintained his innocence, claiming he had no sexual interest in either girl. He also stated that he was a catering student at South Devon College before his arrest, attempting to portray himself as an ordinary young man. However, the jury’s verdict clearly indicated his guilt on multiple counts.
Judge David Evans adjourned the sentencing until next month, emphasizing that Soper-James’s punishment would be determined according to guidelines that consider offences committed as a child. The judge also ordered a probation report to be prepared before the final sentencing.
This case has left a lasting impact on the Newton Abbot community, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of children and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals from abuse.
According to court proceedings, Soper-James committed his first known offences when he was just ten or eleven years old, during the early 2000s. Over the years, he continued to abuse both girls on multiple occasions, with the assaults escalating in severity. One of the victims, who was approximately 12 years old at the time, was subjected to an attempted rape by Soper-James. The other girl, who was only nine years old, was also touched inappropriately by him.
The trial at Exeter Crown Court revealed that Soper-James was responsible for a total of 16 criminal charges. The jury found him guilty of one count of attempted rape, two counts of inciting sexual activity with a child, five counts of sexual assault, and two counts of assault by penetration against one of the girls. In relation to the second girl, he was convicted of four sexual assaults, one assault by penetration, and one charge of inciting sexual activity with a child.
During the proceedings, the prosecution, led by Miss Rachel Drake, detailed how one girl was subjected to Soper-James’s inappropriate touching from the age of about six, while the other girl’s abuse began when she was nine. The court heard that the abuse included Soper-James touching both girls, forcing them to touch him, engaging in simulated sexual acts with one of them, and on one occasion, attempting to have sex with one of the victims.
One of the victims confided in her mother about the abuse at some point, but Soper-James, who was a teenager at the time, denied any wrongdoing, and initially, his claims were believed. It was only when the girls reached their late teens that they finally reported the abuse to the police, bringing the case to court.
Throughout the trial, Soper-James maintained his innocence, claiming he had no sexual interest in either girl. He also stated that he was a catering student at South Devon College before his arrest, attempting to portray himself as an ordinary young man. However, the jury’s verdict clearly indicated his guilt on multiple counts.
Judge David Evans adjourned the sentencing until next month, emphasizing that Soper-James’s punishment would be determined according to guidelines that consider offences committed as a child. The judge also ordered a probation report to be prepared before the final sentencing.
This case has left a lasting impact on the Newton Abbot community, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of children and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals from abuse.