In 2019, the Offender Database reported that Austin Stuart Taylor, a Somerset Paedophile Child Molester, then 21, received a nine-year prison sentence after being convicted of many child sexual crimes at locations in Minehead, Taunton, and Wellington.
He was found guilty of 15 charges against his victims, aged 13 to 17, committed between 2015 and 2017.
Austin Stuart Taylor confessed to two charges of distributing Class A drugs and one charge of distributing a Class B substance at the commencement of his trial at Bristol Crown Court.
The jury convicted him on three charges of sexual activity with a child; one charge of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity; three charges of possessing indecent images of children; one charge of offering to supply a Class A drug; three charges of offering to supply a Class B drug; and one charge of permitting premises to be used for cannabis consumption. He rejected the twelve charges.
Alongside his incarceration, he received a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a 10-year restraining order prohibiting contact with his victims. He will be permanently included on the Sex Offenders’ Register.
The court was informed that neighbours frequently observed girls in school uniforms arriving at the residences occupied by Austin Stuart Taylor, who supplied them with substances including cannabis, ketamine, and MDMA.
The jury was informed that pornographic photos and moving video recordings of children as young as three years old were discovered on Austin Stuart Taylor’s computer.
An analysis of his phone revealed a significant quantity of images of his genitalia, some of which were transmitted to his victims to facilitate grooming. He persistently solicited his victims to capture and transmit lewd photographs of themselves.
Investigating officer Det Sgt Phillip Clarke said: “Austin Stuart-Taylor is a manipulative individual who plied young girls with drugs to gain influence over them and abuse them.
“It’s clear he has a disturbing interest in young girls from the images found on his electronic devices.
“His actions were deliberate and calculated, and there is absolutely no doubt he knew how old his victims were when he engaged in sexual activity with them.
“Together with Barnardo’s Against Sexual Exploitation (BASE), support has been provided to all the girls through what has been a lengthy criminal justice process, and I hope now that Austin Stuart Taylor has been handed a substantial prison term, they can move on with their lives.”
At today’s hearing, the judge awarded commendations to DS Clarke, DC Paul Moares, and Investigations Support Officer Alan Chambers for their work on this investigation. The judge also commended Kate Chisnall from BASE.
Since June last year, police have introduced a partnership approach to tackling child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Somerset, which sees agencies share intelligence to investigative reports, catch offenders and support victims.
Operation Topaz, initially launched as a pilot in Bristol in January 2017, enables officers to identify offending at an earlier stage.
Force lead for (CSE) Detective Chief Inspector Liz Hughes said: “With the introduction of Operation Topaz in Somerset, we are now better equipped than ever to protect children and young people from sexual exploitation.
“The unique approach of Topaz allows us to identify offences early and, at times, offending which may not have ever come to light at all. The partnership working also increases our ability to build relationships with those affected by abuse and support them.
“By working together and sharing information, we can help inform, educate and prevent this form of child sexual abuse from happening. But our partners and we can only do so much, though, and we still need the public’s help.
If you suspect a child or young person may be at risk, or have any information relating to CSE, call police on 101 or via avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact-us/report-a-crime-or-incident.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
If you know or suspect a child or young person is in immediate danger, dial 999 straightaway.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.