ROBERT MEADE SENTENCED IN WROUGHTON AND GREAT HINTON FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON SCHOOLGIRL

In October 2009, a man named Robert Meade was sentenced to a year in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a young girl. The incident took place at his residence in Wroughton, but he is also known to have connections to Great Hinton, Trowbridge. The court heard that Meade, aged 45 at the time, deliberately lured a schoolgirl into a situation where he could exploit her vulnerability.

According to the prosecution, Claire Marlow, Meade had sent flirtatious text messages to the girl, who was under the age of 16, describing her as “cute and pretty.” The court was told that Meade provided the girl with alcoholic beverages, specifically WKD alcopops and vodka, in an attempt to intoxicate her. He handed her a bottle of WKD, then poured some into a glass for her to drink. After she consumed the drink, he gave her a shot of vodka, which she also drank.

As a result of the alcohol, the girl became severely intoxicated, eventually passing out and vomiting. When she regained consciousness, she discovered that she had been undressed down to her underwear. She also noticed that Meade was only wearing his boxer shorts. The girl was reportedly told by Meade that he needed to wash her clothes, but she observed that her jumper and trousers had not been soiled or needed cleaning.

The assault was reported to the authorities a few days later after the girl confided in someone at her school about what had happened. Police investigations uncovered footage of the assault on Meade’s mobile phone. Additionally, officers recovered the girl’s bra and vest from his home in Wroughton. When questioned by police, Meade refused to answer any questions, replying only with “no comment.”

During the court proceedings, Meade’s defense lawyer, Michael Butt, requested that the court consider a sentence that would allow his client to participate in a sex offenders’ rehabilitation program. However, the judge, Douglas Field, emphasized the seriousness of the offense, highlighting the vulnerability of the victim. Judge Field pointed out that Meade’s age disparity with the girl was significant and that he had taken advantage of her intoxicated state.

Judge Field described the girl as “vulnerable” and condemned Meade’s actions, which involved giving her strong alcohol and then exploiting her unconscious state. The judge sentenced Meade to a year in prison, disqualified him from working with children for life, and ordered him to register as a sex offender for the next ten years. The case underscored the gravity of the crime and the importance of protecting minors from exploitation and abuse.