MITCHELL SADLER OF TRURO SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRLS

In December 2012, Mitchell Sadler, a child minder from Perranwell Station near Truro, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison at Truro Crown Court for sexually abusing young girls. Sadler, aged 43, was found guilty by a jury the previous month of six counts of sexual abuse after grooming a 13-year-old girl, despite not being her official child minder.

During the sentencing on December 13, Recorder Andrew Oldland QC stated, "Your victim was particularly naive and vulnerable for reasons of which you were fully aware. You gave her presents and gained her trust. You groomed her, contacting her repeatedly through text messages and internet chat rooms, expressing love for her."

Sadler was also ordered to be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order that will last for the next 15 years and must register as a sex offender indefinitely. The court acknowledged that Sadler was of previous good character but emphasized that as a child minder, he understood the serious consequences of sexual misconduct.

The prosecution revealed that Sadler kissed the girl, touched her inappropriately, and attempted to prevent her from disclosing the abuse. While there were two aggravating factors—her vulnerability and repeated sexual contact—Sadler accepted that the offenses did not reach the most serious severity of similar crimes.