A 61-year-old man from Devon who carried out sexual assaults and penetrative abuse against three young children has been sentenced to nine years and three months’ imprisonment at Taunton Crown Court.
Colin Butcher, of Dunkeswell, Devon, appeared for sentence on Thursday 8 October 2026, sitting at Worle, following a non-recent sexual abuse investigation conducted by Avon and Somerset Police.
The court was told that the abuse occurred across two properties: a family home in Somerset and Butcher’s own residence in Dunkeswell, near Honiton, Devon. Butcher targeted three children under the age of 14, subjecting them to sexual touching and penetrative sexual abuse. The victims endured decades of emotional distress and buried the abuse until coming forward to disclose the offences as adults.
In personal statements read to the court, the survivors detailed the long-term impact on their lives and relationships. One survivor recounted believing she was the only child Butcher had abused and had planned to take the ordeal to her grave. Another described how the offending had taken parts of her childhood that she could never recover, expressing her resolve as a mother that her own children would always be heard and protected.
Avon and Somerset Police arrested Butcher in July 2023. He initially denied all charges, but entered guilty pleas during the course of his Crown Court trial on 17 August 2026.
Under the provisions of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992 and Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, all victims of sexual offences and child complainants are protected by automatic, lifelong statutory anonymity. Publishing, broadcasting, or disseminating any details, names, addresses, educational institutions, or photographs capable of leading to the public identification of the victims is strictly prohibited under UK law.
Butcher pleaded guilty to:
Eight counts of indecent assault against a child under the age of 14
Passing sentence on 8 October 2026, Judge Shepherd imposed a custodial term of nine years and three months, with an additional one-year extended licence period under probation supervision upon release. Butcher must serve at least six years and six months in custody before the Parole Board can review his suitability for release.
Alongside the prison sentence, the court ordered:
A 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) placing strict conditions on his contact with children
Indefinite notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register for life under the Sexual Offences Act 2003
Addressing Butcher, Judge Shepherd stated: “You have had a devastating impact on their lives and that will sit with you forever.”
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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