SIMON TINDALL FROM BRIDGNORTH AND WORCESTERSHIRE GUILTY OF SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Bridgnorth and the surrounding Worcestershire area, Simon Tindall, a former teacher and army cadet officer, has been found guilty of engaging in sexual activities with a 15-year-old girl cadet. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of grooming and manipulation that spanned over a year, beginning when the girl was just 13 years old.

According to the prosecution, Iain Willis, during the trial at Worcester Crown Court, detailed how Tindall, who held the rank of second lieutenant in the Hereford and Worcester Army Cadet Force, initiated contact with the young girl through a series of text messages. These messages, which started as casual communication, gradually became more suggestive and intimate as the girl approached her 15th birthday. The court heard that Tindall used these messages as part of a grooming process, fostering a relationship that appeared to be genuine but was ultimately exploitative.

As their communication intensified, the pair arranged meetings that evolved from innocent touching and kissing to more explicit sexual encounters. These encounters took place both in Tindall’s car and at his residence, once the girl turned 15. The court was shown evidence of the regularity of their contact, with the texts and meetings forming a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior.

Simon Tindall, now aged 34 at the time of the trial, had a professional background as a physical education teacher at schools in Kidderminster and Bridgnorth. Despite his role as an educator, he was convicted of two counts of gross indecency with a child, covering the period from April 2003 to February 2004. He was acquitted on other charges, including two counts of indecency with a child between March and October 2003, and a charge of sexual activity with a minor in 2008.

During the trial, Tindall’s defense, led by Darron Whitehead, argued that the relationship was misunderstood and that he had not engaged in sexual activity until the girl was 16. Whitehead emphasized that text messaging was a common form of communication among cadets and their officers, and suggested that the relationship evolved as the girl grew older, claiming that they became “two people in love.” He also highlighted that Tindall, who resides on Severn Street in Bridgnorth, had turned his life around, now living with his partner and young child, and insisted that the punishment was for actions committed long ago.

However, Judge Robert Juckes was unequivocal in his assessment. He stated that while the initial text exchanges may have been intended to maintain contact within the cadet group, they soon became suggestive and led to Tindall’s seduction of the girl. The judge pointed out that the girl believed their relationship was genuine and that she had fallen for Tindall, who exploited her trust for his own sexual gratification. The judge condemned Tindall for making use of her sexually whenever he desired.

As part of his sentence, Tindall was given two concurrent years in prison for each of the convicted charges. Additionally, he will be required to register as a sex offender for five years and is barred from working with children under 18. The court’s decision underscores the severity of the misconduct and the betrayal of trust involved in this case, which has left a lasting impact on the victim and the community at large.