RODNEY SMITH SHOCKS SOUTHBOURNE WITH PREDATORY CRIMES AGAINST BOY

In July 2002, a disturbing case emerged involving Rodney Smith, a man residing in Southbourne, who was exposed as a manipulative and calculating predator. Ann Jones, a single mother living near Bournemouth and struggling with disability and unemployment, recounted her harrowing experience with Smith, whom she initially believed to be a trustworthy individual.

Ann first encountered Rodney Smith through her acquaintance with his former wife. Their interaction began casually when Ann was assisting his ex-wife with some errands, leading to a conversation that would later reveal unsettling truths. Smith, aged 58 and residing on Fenton Road in Southbourne, presented himself as a well-groomed, respectable man—clean-shaven, neatly dressed, with no signs of the disheveled appearance often associated with such offenders. He claimed to have a background as a foster carer in Surrey and boasted of managing cleaning contracts at libraries in Corfe Mullen and Christchurch, as well as working at local youth clubs and a comprehensive school.

Ann recalls Smith saying, “He even told me he’d cleaned the social services offices, for God’s sake,” with a tone tinged with bitterness. She admits that, at the time, his demeanor and stories painted a picture of a kind, helpful man who seemed genuinely interested in her children. She now recognizes that her status as a single mother made her a prime target for his manipulations. What appeared to be genuine concern was, in fact, a calculated grooming process aimed solely at her son, Sam, who was only 12 years old at the time.

Smith quickly initiated his sinister grooming tactics, which are characteristic of paedophiles seeking to establish trust and emotional bonds with their victims. He offered to take Sam fishing, calling regularly to suggest outings. Ann thought it was a positive opportunity, especially since she couldn’t always take her son fishing herself. Later, she discovered that Smith was not an angler and had gone to great lengths—purchasing hundreds of pounds worth of fishing equipment—to maintain the illusion of their outings.

Further revelations showed that Smith falsely claimed to be involved in drug dealing in the village, asserting he would look after Sam if he was offered drugs. Ann now believes that Smith was the one supplying her son with cannabis and alcohol, contrary to his claims of protecting him from trouble. She also uncovered that Smith was responsible for keeping Sam out of school for days at a time, often sending in fake notes and even booking eye tests to make his absences seem legitimate. During these times, Smith took Sam to arcades and got him drunk, further exposing him to harmful influences.

As the grooming progressed, Smith’s abuse turned sexual. Sam confided that Smith began touching him and encouraging him to touch him in return, as well as exposing him to pornographic films. The boy described feeling guilty because Smith’s friendly demeanor made it difficult to recognize the danger. Smith’s arrogance grew, and he took Sam on trips away, including holidays where they shared a room. Ann admits to feeling overwhelmed and distressed, especially when Smith tried to involve Sam in more sinister acts, such as attempting to coerce him into luring a schoolfriend into a sexual act. Smith also tried to force Sam to use a well-known gay cruising spot in Boscombe, a public toilet often frequented by homosexual men.

Despite these alarming behaviors, Ann did not initially suspect Smith’s true intentions. She recalls that he was involved with the Under-15 football team at Ringwood Football Club for several years. A woman associated with the club mentioned concerns about him, but her warnings were dismissed. Smith even posed as a football scout for Bristol Rovers, producing fake scouting cards and visiting local clubs, although the club later confirmed he was not affiliated with them. Ann defends her initial naivety, explaining that she believed his work with football, cleaning, and foster care indicated he was a trustworthy individual.

The truth only surfaced by chance when a former victim, who had been fostered by Smith in Surrey, decided to report him after recognizing Smith’s relationship with Sam. This victim, who had endured abuse years earlier, contacted Surrey police, suspecting that Smith might have also harmed Sam. The revelation prompted Smith to contact Ann, falsely claiming that the boy had lied about him and that he was being falsely accused of crimes from two decades prior. Ann admits that she and a friend were so convinced of his innocence that they met him for coffee, a decision she now regrets.

Her realization of the truth came when the Child Protection Unit contacted her, informing her that they would be collecting Sam for protection. The family was in the midst of preparing for Christmas in 1999 when the full extent of Smith’s abuse was uncovered. Ann recalls that they had to coax Sam into revealing everything, emphasizing that police could only intervene if he was truthful. Sam eventually provided evidence that led to Smith’s guilty plea, sparing him from testifying in court. However, the short notice prevented the family from traveling to Surrey to witness Smith’s sentencing, which Ann believes would have been beneficial for Sam’s healing process.

A pressing question remains: why did Sam allow the abuse to continue? Ann suggests that her son, who lacked a father figure, was drawn to Smith’s attention and the new experiences he offered, such as fishing trips. She also defends her son’s silence, stating that children at that age are vulnerable and easily manipulated. Smith’s cleverness and calculated approach allowed him to creep into their lives unnoticed. Ann describes her feelings of guilt, believing she should have recognized the signs earlier. She laments that Smith was so manipulative that he even owned a Ford XR3i, a young boy racer’s car, to impress children and gain their trust. He showered Sam with gifts, including expensive skates and trips, which made it difficult for Ann to see the danger.

Smith was sentenced to six years for each count of indecent assault, with the sentences to run concurrently. Recently, Ann received a letter from the parole board indicating that Smith would be considered for parole in March of the following year. She finds this prospect distressing, as it means he could be released after serving just over a year, totaling less than 15 months for each offense. Her hope is that by speaking out publicly, she will encourage other victims of Smith to come forward and help bring further scrutiny to his past actions.

Ann emphasizes her belief that there are more victims who have yet to find the courage to speak. She urges anyone who has been molested by Rodney Smith or others to come forward, stressing the importance of breaking the silence to prevent further abuse. The experience has profoundly changed her outlook on life, leading her to realize that her previous assumptions about her ability to protect her children were naive. She now advocates for vigilance and awareness, especially regarding the threat posed by predators like Smith, who, she admits, was far more cunning than she had ever imagined.