A ‘MANIPULATIVE’ Dorchester Paedophile, Christopher Symes, who sexually molested five minors over nearly three decades has been sentenced to 14 years in prison.
After a trial at Salisbury Crown Court, Christopher Symes was convicted by a jury on November 10 of eight charges of indecent assault, two instances of sexual assault against a child under 13, and one crime of forcing or persuading a child under 13 to engage in sexual conduct.
The 58-year-old resident, Christopher Symes, of Lorne Road, Dorchester, had already entered a guilty plea to six more charges, comprising three counts of sexual conduct with a minor, two instances of sexual assault, and one case of producing indecent photos of a child.
All crimes occurred between 1984 and 2012.
In December 2017, one of Symes’ victims reported to the police that she had been sexually abused by the defendant, with the abuse commencing when she was perhaps nine or 10 years old.
Subsequent to enquiries conducted by officers, additional victims were found and interviewed, who similarly described experiencing abuse by the defendant during their childhoods.
Christopher Symes was apprehended, and his phone was confiscated for analysis. A lot of lewd photographs of one of his victims were discovered on it.
The court was informed that five women, whose identities are protected for legal reasons, have accused Christopher Symes of child abuse.
During the sentence hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court today (December 21), Judge Robert Pawson characterised Christopher Symes as ‘manipulative’ and ‘unrepentant,’ noting that he ‘selected vulnerable girls’ in his ‘systematic abuse.’
He stated: “All five women endured suffering at the time, and some have continued to do so for decades thereafter.”
“You accept your victim as they are.”
Personal testimonies from the five victims were presented to the court during a prior hearing on Friday, December 17, in which they articulated the enduring anguish inflicted by Symes’ assault.
The courageous women articulated that Christopher Symes occupied a position of trust that he ‘utterly breached’. A woman stated that he ‘took her innocence’.
The court reiterated to the victims during today’s sentencing that they should not harbour any feelings of culpability, as several had conveyed guilt in their personal statements for failing to come up earlier to prevent Symes from victimising others.
He stated, “None of the victims bears any culpability.” They were juveniles. They are not to blame for your abuse.
“In court, the five women were compelled to recount the abuse you inflicted upon them during their childhood.”
Judge Pawson imposed a 17-year sentence on Christopher Symes, consisting of a 14-year jail term and a three-year extension.
The judge stated that his sentence was being prolonged due to an assessment indicating he posed a substantial risk of damage to female youngsters in a pre-sentence report.
Judge Pawson additionally imposed a restraining order on Symes.
He stated: “You are prohibited from any form of contact with the five identified victims, and this restriction is indefinite.”
Christopher Symes has been permanently placed on the sex offenders register.
I want that this instance inspires others to possess the confidence to step forward.
Detective Constable Georgina Boast, of Dorset Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team, commended the victims in this case for their bravery in coming forward to assist in the investigation and facilitate the conviction of Christopher Symes for his reprehensible crimes.
Due to their evidence, we have achieved the conviction of a serial criminal who victimised multiple individuals over several years.
Christopher Symes is now confronting a substantial prison sentence, and I hope this case inspires others to summon the confidence to come forward, certain of support, so that together we can hold sexual abusers accountable.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.