Daniel Mansford, then aged 26, of Rumsam Gardens, Barnstaple, Devon, was sentenced to 32 months’ imprisonment at Exeter Crown Court on Thursday, 3 September 2026, after pleading guilty to five counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child.
Mansford had previously altered his plea to guilty on the day his trial was due to commence.
The conviction follows an investigation by North Devon CID into offending that spanned a six-month period when the victim was 14 years old.
The court heard that Mansford was aware of the victim’s age from the beginning of their contact.
Despite knowing she was a child, Mansford made a conscious decision to pursue and groom her, using social media platforms to send sexualised communications and arrange sexual encounters.
The offences came to light when the victim confided in a teacher, who promptly alerted authorities.
Devon & Cornwall Police officers arrested Mansford, who gave no comment during his formal police interviews.
Investigating officers examined the child’s mobile phone, retrieving screenshots of sexualised messages transmitted by Mansford that corroborated the allegations.
Mansford admitted:
- Five offences of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged under 16
Investigator Neil Young praised the victim’s courage, stating that Mansford should have broken off contact immediately upon learning her age, but chose instead to exploit her vulnerabilities.
The presiding judge handed down a custodial sentence of 32 months’ imprisonment, alongside an indefinite restraining order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
Release Calculation: Under UK sentencing legislation governing sexual offences, Mansford is required to serve two-thirds (21.3 months / 1 year and 9 months) of his 32-month sentence in prison custody before becoming eligible for statutory release on licence. His projected release date falls in June 2028, whereupon he will remain subject to licence conditions and statutory community supervision until the expiration of the full term in May 2029.
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