A 32-year-old man who groomed a vulnerable 14-year-old girl before subjecting her to penetrative sexual abuse inside a caravan has been sentenced to six years’ imprisonment at Truro Crown Court.
Jonathan Simpson, from the St Austell area, appeared for sentence on Friday 2 October 2026. A jury had previously found him guilty of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a child aged 13 to 15, rejecting his claims of innocence following a contested trial.
The court heard that the offence took place in early 2023. The victim, who was 14 years old and regarded as vulnerable, was approached by Simpson, who asked her if she wanted to meet for a drink. The teenager agreed, and they met at a bus stop in the St Austell area. Simpson subsequently took her to his caravan, where the victim stayed for several days while alcohol was consumed.
During this period, Simpson proceeded to sexually abuse the child. The court was told that Simpson was 28 years old at the time of the offending and was fully conscious that the victim was only 14.
Under the provisions of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, all victims of sexual offences are entitled to lifelong statutory anonymity from the moment an allegation is made. It is a criminal offence to publish, broadcast, or disclose any details, including names, addresses, school information, or photographs, that could lead to the public identification of the child victim across any print, broadcast, digital, or social media outlet.
Following the victim’s disclosure of the abuse to police, detectives from Devon and Cornwall Police commenced a safeguarding investigation. Forensic evidence formed a cornerstone of the prosecution’s case after laboratory analysis recovered traces of Simpson’s semen from the girl’s clothing, directly refuting his denials.
Simpson entered a not guilty plea to the indictment, requiring the young survivor to engage with the court process. Jurors dismissed his assertions and returned a guilty verdict for penetrative sexual activity with a child aged 13 to 15.
The presiding judge sentenced Simpson to an immediate custodial sentence of six years’ imprisonment. Under current UK sentencing legislation for serious sexual offences, Simpson will be required to serve at least two-thirds of the six-year term in prison custody before the Parole Board will consider him for conditional release on licence under probation supervision.
Alongside the prison sentence, the court ordered:
Mandatory notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register under the provisions of the Sexual Offences Act 2003
Associated protective safeguarding restrictions to monitor his conduct upon release
Officer in the case Detective Constable David Squire commended the survivor’s resolve:
“Jonathan Simpson took advantage of the victim’s vulnerability and proceeded to groom and exploit her for his own sexual gratification.
“Simpson was fully aware of the victim’s age yet carried on regardless.
“I would like to thank the victim for having the courage to disclose what happened to her, and for remaining engaged in the legal process, resulting in Simpson being convicted for the sexual offence.”
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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