A 34-year-old man of no fixed address has been handed a 32-and-a-half-year extended sentence at Bristol Crown Court after being convicted of carrying out 24 sexual offences against four young girls and attempting to bribe a survivor to derail a police inquiry.
Timothy Mealing appeared for sentence on Monday 19 October 2026 following an extensive safeguarding investigation led by Avon and Somerset Police’s specialist child protection team.
The prosecution outlined that Mealing engaged in a prolonged and calculated campaign of predatory sexual abuse targeting four young female children. The offending was brought to light after one of the victims demonstrated great courage by disclosing the abuse to a school teacher, who immediately initiated child safeguarding protocols and notified law enforcement.
Detectives launched a major child protection investigation, uncovering an extensive pattern of serious contact offences and digital child abuse. While the criminal inquiry was actively ongoing, Mealing attempted to suppress the evidence by offering a £600 financial bribe to one of the young survivors on the condition that she withdraw the formal video-recorded interview she had provided to police officers.
The investigation also implicated 33-year-old Stacey Smith, of Keynsham, in efforts to subvert the investigation. Earlier this year, Smith was convicted of perverting the course of justice and received a two-year suspended prison sentence.
Mealing entered guilty pleas to charges concerning two of the child survivors but pleaded not guilty to offences involving the other two victims, forcing them to give evidence during a contested trial at Bristol Crown Court in September 2026.
Following deliberations, the jury rejected his defence and returned unanimous guilty verdicts across all remaining counts on the indictment:
Five counts of rape of a child under 13
One count of attempted rape of a child under 13
Six counts of sexual assault of a child under 13
Five counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration
Three counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
One count of rape
One count of attempted rape
Two counts of taking indecent photographs of a child
One count of perverting the course of justice
The presiding judge directed that an additional count of rape be left to lie on the court file.
Passing sentence on 19 October 2026, the Crown Court judge condemned Mealing’s predatory nature, the profound trauma inflicted upon four young children, and his cynical attempt to bribe a child victim into silence. Assessing Mealing as a dangerous offender who represents an enduring danger of serious harm to young people, the judge imposed an extended determinate sentence of 32 years and six months.
Under statutory sentencing rules governing extended sentences for serious sexual offences involving children, Mealing will be required to serve at least two-thirds of the custodial portion behind bars before becoming eligible to apply for release on licence to the Parole Board.
To protect the victims and the wider public, the court made Mealing subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), granted restraining orders protecting the survivors, ordered him to comply with mandatory notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register for life under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and permanently barred him from regulated activity involving children or vulnerable adults.
Under the provisions of Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, all child victims and complainants connected to criminal proceedings are protected by automatic, lifelong statutory anonymity. Publishing, broadcasting, or disseminating any details, names, addresses, educational facilities, or photographs capable of leading to public identification is strictly prohibited under UK law.
Mealing stood convicted of:
24 sexual offences (including rapes and penetrative assaults of children under 13)
Taking indecent photographs of a child
Perverting the course of justice
Sentencing outcome and statutory measures:
32-and-a-half-year extended determinate sentence
Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO)
Restraining orders protecting all victims
Mandatory notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register for life under the Sexual Offences Act 2003
Permanent barring from working with children or vulnerable adults (Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists)
Strict post-custodial statutory licence supervision conditions enforceable upon release from custody
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