Newton Abbot sex offender jailed

He sexually abused a 15-year-old girl

A Newton Abbot man has been sentenced to 9 years behind bars after he sexually abused a 15-year-old girl.

60-year-old Paul Hemmings will sign the sex offenders register or life and has also been granted a sexual harm prevention order.

He initially denied the offences, telling detectives that it was 'fictitious' and 'made up'. However, on the first day of his trial in July, he pleaded guilty to nine counts of sexual activity with a child.

The court heard that the offences took place over a three month period.

On sentencing Hemmings, the Judge told him that he had tried to minimise his conduct in blaming the victim and only felt remorse for himself.

Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Tamsyn Dingley said: “Hemmings exploited a young girl, who he knew was under the age of consent, and he knew what he did was wrong. Hemmings groomed and manipulated the victim and justice has been served in his conviction.

“My praise and thoughts remain, as always, with the victim for speaking up and telling us what had happened. I hope that she can now focus on herself and find some closure.”

Detective Inspector Becky Davies said: “I hope that cases and outcomes such as this will encourage other victims to feel that they can speak out.

“You will be heard, and we will seek justice to bring offenders who commit these abhorrent crimes to justice.”