Karl Pitcher, an Karl Pitcher Ilchester Paedophile paedophile who sexually attacked four children, including a two-year-old, has been sentenced to prison. At a sentencing hearing at Taunton Crown Court on June 8, Karl Pitcher was sentenced to 10 years and four months for 11 counts of indecent assault on four children during the 1990s and 2000s.
Karl Pitcher, a 54-year-old resident of Great Orchard, Ilchester, has been issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He has been mandated to register as a sex offender for the duration of his life.
During the hearings, the court was informed that Pitcher, characterised as a “predator” by Recorder Judge Millard, had assaulted four girls aged between two and fourteen on multiple occasions. In 2020, Avon and Somerset Police were contacted by two of his victims, prompting an inquiry.
Police enquiries led to two more cases being unearthed from the early 2000s which had been investigated at the time. However, police said they were “unfortunately unable to prosecute” at the time.
Two of Karl Pitcher’s victims spoke about the impact his sexual abuse had on them. One victim said: “I was a vulnerable young girl all those years ago and he knew it. He used that to his advantage to be able to behave how he wanted towards me.
“He destroyed my confidence. I spent all those years rebuilding my life and was then made by him to relive it all again during a trial.
“I wanted to say thank you to the police for all their hard work and for the result we got. It’s been such a relief to know, after all this time, I have been believed by you all.”
Another victim said: “The day we found out the jury had reached a guilty verdict, I cried with relief. Relief that the truth had been told and heard and that, as victims, we were finally getting the justice we deserved.
“I hope that, by me going through the process of this trial, it will help and support other victims with coming forward and having their story heard.”
Speaking after the sentencing hearing, investigation officer PC Victoria Doble said: “The victims have shown incredible strength to report these incidents and support the police investigation. They have shown such courage throughout the trial and have bravely taken the stand to get the justice they so rightly deserve.
“Karl Pitcher is a horrendous criminal, who has taken advantage of young children and impacted their lives, even beyond his offending. I hope more victims of recent and non-recent sexual offences read about this conviction and are encouraged to come forward and seek justice, and I hope this sentence will give Karl Pitcher’s victims some closure.”
Recorder Judge Millard also commended the “strong women” who came forward to give evidence against Karl Pitcher. He also blasted the paedophile for his actions and lack of empathy towards his victims.
“You are a predator of young girls,” Judge Millard said. “Over 10 years, you demonstrated a long-term commitment to abuse young girls. You’ve displayed no victim empathy in this case. They are strong women.
“It takes strength and courage to report the offences and come to trial. I commend them for it. They do not deserve to hear your continual denial.”
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