REDHILL COACH DRIVER RAYMOND NORTON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING TEENAGER

In a case that has shocked the community of Redhill, Raymond Norton, a 48-year-old coach driver, was sentenced to a total of four years in prison after being convicted of engaging in sexual activities with a teenage girl. The incident dates back to 2004, when Norton, who was then 40 years old, met the girl during a church group holiday trip and subsequently initiated a series of inappropriate communications and actions that led to criminal charges.

On Tuesday, November 1, at Guildford Crown Court, Norton was found guilty of five counts of sexual activity with a child under the age of 16. Despite the convictions, he was acquitted of one count of rape related to the same girl, who is legally protected from being identified. The court heard that prior to the sexual encounters, Norton had sent the victim a series of explicit text messages, which served as a precursor to their physical relationship.

Prosecutor Rachel Davies emphasized that the nature of the relationship was marked by a breach of trust, given the manner in which Norton met the girl and the grooming process that ensued. She pointed out that the girl was in a vulnerable state at the time, and Norton was fully aware of her vulnerability. The court was also informed that the sexual activities began after the exchange of these messages in 2004.

Defense lawyer Christopher Draycott argued that any connection formed during the coach trip had ended once the holiday concluded, asserting that the subsequent relationship was entirely separate and did not constitute a breach of trust. He also highlighted that Norton had not re-offended since 2004 and that this was his only conviction of this nature, suggesting he did not pose a danger to the public. Draycott mentioned that Norton had found his first experience of custody difficult and that his family and employer had supported him throughout the process. He stated that Norton would not be appealing the conviction.

Judge Neil Stewart addressed the court, stating that Norton’s actions clearly demonstrated a sexual and physical attraction to the girl. The judge pointed out that the explicit text messages sent by Norton were wholly inappropriate and indicative of his feelings. The judge emphasized that the first of the offenses occurred on June 30, 2004, and highlighted the significant age difference—Norton was 40, and the girl was only 15—considered a major aggravating factor in the case.

As a result of his convictions, Raymond Norton, who resides on Canal Side in Redhill, was sentenced to four concurrent years in prison for each of the five offenses. Additionally, he was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life, marking a severe consequence for his actions and serving as a reminder of the gravity of crimes involving minors.