WAYNE MINNS FROM HAM SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR PREDATORY CHILD ABUSE IN PLYMOUTH

In a case that has shocked the local community and brought to light the disturbing extent of child abuse, Wayne Minns, a resident of Ham, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 12 years for a series of heinous crimes committed against two young boys. The sentencing took place at Plymouth Crown Court, where Minns pleaded guilty to a total of 19 counts related to the abuse, which spanned over nearly a decade.

These charges included six counts of rape, as well as the creation, possession, and distribution of indecent images of the children involved. Some of these images were classified at Level 5, indicating the most severe and disturbing category of child exploitation material. The court heard that Minns’s abusive behavior was not a one-time occurrence but a pattern that persisted over several years, with incidents dating back to January 2003 and continuing through April 2003, May to July 2004, December 2007, December 2010, and as recently as March of this year.

Nick Lewin, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, detailed the extent of Minns’s repeated assaults, emphasizing that the abuse had become so normalized for one of the victims that it was perceived as routine. The court was informed that Minns had engaged in a series of predatory acts, grooming the children and exploiting their vulnerability for his own gratification.

Judge Jeremy Griggs, presiding over the case, sentenced Minns to a substantial custodial term, citing the seriousness of the offenses. The judge expressed concern about the long-term impact on the victims, stating, “We don’t yet know what the long-term harm to these two young males will be.” Throughout the proceedings, Minns, who is married, showed no visible emotion. He was dressed in a green hooded coat and, as he was handcuffed and led away by prison guards, he blew a kiss towards his mother, displaying no remorse.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Trevor Strike, who led the investigation, spoke to the media outside the court. He expressed satisfaction that a dangerous predator had been removed from the community, praising the bravery of the victims who came forward to report the abuse. DC Strike highlighted that the police fully pursued every allegation, which not only led to Minns’s conviction but also helped identify and protect other potential victims. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding Plymouth’s most vulnerable residents, especially children.

Further details revealed that the investigation was initiated earlier this year after one of Minns’s victims approached the authorities. During the course of the inquiry, police uncovered evidence of additional abuse involving another young boy. Detective Sergeant Barry Walter, who also contributed to the case, explained that a historic complaint had been made to the Plymouth Child Abuse Investigation Team. The investigation uncovered a disturbing collection of images, some depicting the abuse itself, which had been distributed on social networking platforms, highlighting the extent of Minns’s predatory behavior.

As part of his sentence, Minns was also ordered to participate in the Thames Valley Sex Offenders Programme, a rehabilitative measure aimed at preventing future offenses and addressing the underlying issues that led to his criminal conduct.