Bideford man jailed for sexual offences
A 58-year-old man has been jailed for the sexual abuse of a young girl.
Lawrence Pipe, from the Bideford area, appeared at Exeter Crown Court for sentence recently having been convicted by a jury of two indecent assaults of a child under 13, as well as a number of other non-sexual offences.
Pipe was jailed for five years and must sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years.
During the trial the court heard how the allegations came to light in 2021 when the victim reported non-recent sexual touching by Pipe when she was a child.
The victim described how Pipe touched her sexually and encouraged her to engage in sexual activity herself.
During interview the defendant denied any sexual touching and insisted he didn’t have a sexual interest in children, however the jury refused to accept his version of events.
The offending, which took place in the Combe Martin area, had a considerable psychological effect on the victim.
Officer in the case DC Neil Palmer said: “This was a serious case of sexual abuse involving a young child during the 1990s.
“The victim in the case displayed immense bravery in reporting and providing evidence for court.
“This was a complex and lengthy investigation and we thank all witnesses for their patience and assistance during this enquiry and we hope that this conviction helps with the healing process.”
If you or someone you know has been affected by crime, please visit https://victimcare-dc.org to access support services, as well as information about your rights and how to navigate the criminal justice system.
You can also call Victim Support on 0808 1689 111 or the Victim Care Unit at Devon & Cornwall Police on 01392 475900.
Image gallery:
select image to see larger version
