In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that self-confessed paedophile Glen Pearson was jailed for the sexual assault of a five-year-old girl and the attempted abduction of a nine-year-old girl. Following proceedings at Exeter Crown Court, the defendant—who was staying in a flat in Westward Ho!, Devon—was convicted of offences occurring on August Bank Holiday Sunday. It was reported that Pearson, who was addicted to viewing child abuse videos online, transitioned from digital fantasies to physical attacks while heavily under the influence of alcohol.
The investigation established that Pearson targeted three children who were playing in the street near his accommodation at approximately 6:00 pm on 25 August. Devon and Cornwall Police reported that Pearson put his hands up the shorts of the five-year-old victim and attempted to lure her nine-year-old friend back to his flat, telling the older girl to leave her brother behind. The prosecution reported that Pearson later admitted to police he likely would have sexually assaulted the nine-year-old had she not found an excuse to flee.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Pearson’s actions had a profound and “shell-shocking” effect on his young victims, causing both to suffer from nightmares and heightened insecurity. Exeter Crown Court heard that Pearson had a long-standing habit of viewing images of young children and had previously told police his “lower age limit” was ten, though his victims in this case were half that age. The investigation established that despite seeking help for his attraction to children and his dependency on alcohol in the past, he was unable to manage his predatory tendencies on the day of the attack.
Judge Peter Johnson presided over the sentencing in late 2019, where he highlighted that Pearson’s addiction to child abuse material had directly fuelled his decision to target the children in Westward Ho!. For his actions in North Devon, Pearson was handed a custodial sentence with a one-year extended licence period. The judge noted that Pearson’s frankness during police interviews—admitting he was a paedophile—did not diminish the danger he posed, resulting in his placement on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in England, the status of Glen Pearson as of March 31, 2026, was as follows:
- Custodial Sentence: Sentenced 2019 (Subject to a significant custodial term and extended licence).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active for life.
- SHPO Status: Sexual Harm Prevention Order active indefinitely (forbids contact with children).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Exeter Crown Court, following a Devon and Cornwall Police investigation.
- Criminal Record: Sexual assault on a child under 13; Attempted abduction of a child.
- Origin: Westward Ho!, North Devon.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Pearson is managed as a high-risk Category 1 dangerous predator within the Devon area. Due to the nature of his conduct, which involved the physical assault of a five-year-old and the attempted abduction of a nine-year-old for sexual purposes, his management is a maximum priority. Authorities state that his admitted addiction to child abuse videos and his history of “fantasy-to-reality” offending require the most intensive level of digital forensic monitoring by the Devon and Cornwall Police Public Protection Unit.
As a registered sex offender for life, Pearson’s details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that his behaviour demonstrated a depraved disregard for the safety of children and a high risk of reoffending when under the influence of alcohol. Any failure to comply with his notification requirements, any unauthorized internet use, or any presence near schools or play areas in Westward Ho!, Bideford, or Exeter will result in immediate arrest to ensure the ongoing safety of the community and the protection of the public from a self-confessed paedophile.
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