SAMUEL TRINDER FROM TETBURY SENTENCED AFTER SEXUAL MOLESTATION OF UNDERAGE GIRLS IN CIRENCESTER

In January 2020, Samuel Trinder, a 19-year-old resident of Romney Road in Tetbury, found himself at the center of a serious criminal case involving the sexual misconduct of underage girls. Trinder was brought before Gloucester Crown Court, where he faced charges related to his inappropriate actions towards two girls aged 14 and 15 in the Cirencester area. Despite the gravity of the allegations, the court proceedings revealed a complex picture of his behavior and the judicial response to his actions.

Trinder had pleaded guilty to the charges, which involved incidents occurring between February 7 and March 22 of the previous year. The court was informed that he was among a group of older boys who showed an unsettling interest in younger girls outside a school gate, raising concerns about grooming and predatory behavior. The case was brought to light after a police community support officer observed a series of interactions that raised suspicion.

According to prosecutor Ian Fenny, the officer initially instructed a group of teenage boys to disperse from the area. During her patrol, she noticed that a girl from the school was walking in the same direction as Trinder. The officer decided to follow both of them discreetly and eventually came across a confrontation that led to a conversation with the schoolgirl. She recounted that Trinder had previously shown interest in her and that their interactions included text messaging, during which he asked her for an intimate photograph.

The prosecutor explained that Trinder’s behavior appeared to target girls in the 14 to 15 age range, possibly reflecting difficulties in forming appropriate relationships with peers of his own age. One of the girls involved expressed feelings of guilt, stating she kept thinking the incident was her fault. She also reported suffering from anxiety and undergoing counseling sessions as a result of the experience.

During the hearing, Judge Ian Lawrie QC acknowledged that Trinder’s actions, while serious, did not constitute the conduct of an adult predator targeting much younger children. The judge remarked that Trinder had significant maturing to do and needed to learn important lessons. He ordered Trinder to spend time in the cells to reflect on his past behavior and the victim statements presented during the trial.

Later in the day, Trinder appeared visibly distressed, commenting, “The last three hours have been awful. I didn’t like it one bit.” The judge responded sternly, emphasizing that if Trinder continued down the same path, his future could be bleak. He condemned Trinder’s conduct as lecherous and cavalier, noting that the victims had been spared the ordeal of testifying in court. The judge highlighted that even at 18, the girls were still very young and vulnerable.

Ultimately, Trinder was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to contribute £500 towards court costs, pay a victim surcharge of £140, and complete 200 hours of unpaid community work. Additionally, he was mandated to undertake 40 days of rehabilitation activities. The court also imposed a sexual harm prevention order for ten years and placed him on the sex offenders register for the same duration, reflecting the serious nature of his offenses and the need for ongoing monitoring and protection of the community.