A dangerous paedophile who sexually abused boys in Flitwick 20 years ago was given a long prison sentence Monday, April 15, 2024.
Darrin Roach, 58, plied the nine victims with alcohol, cigarettes and cannabis and would sometimes leap around like a frog so he could bury his head in their crotch.
Roach, now of Station Road, Norton Fitzwarren, Taunton received a sentence of 16 years four months at Luton Crown Court.
The judge gave him nine years four months jail with a further seven years extended licence because he regarded him a dangerous offender.
Prosecutor James Keeley said the offences were carried out between 1999 and 2003 on boys aged nine to 15. Roach had been released from a prison sentence for indecent assault in 1998.
He had showed some of his victims images of other boys being sexually abused. Roach was arrested when one of the victims went to the police in 2022.
Officers examined his computer and found 181 Category A child sexual abuse images, the most serious level.
There was 198 at Category B and 425 at Category C. Mr Keeley said: “He would tickle them under their clothing, put his hands down their trousers.”
He performed sex acts on boys upstairs at his address and would give them money.
Defending, Lesley Bates said he had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
She said he had read the impact statements of the victims and felt “great shame.”
Since his arrest she said he had contacted the Lucy Faithful Foundation that works with sex offenders.
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Judge Geoffrey Payne said Roach had “decades” to contact the charity. He said the indecent images found on his computer showed his interest in boys had not gone away.
The judge told him: “Your focus was on your own sexual gratification. Vulnerable children were harmed and the effect has been long lasting.
“There was a significant degree of planning – you stocked your house with alcohol and cannabis. You got away with it for a long time. You groomed the victims by showing them videos.
“Each child only has one childhood – you blighted theirs. These children should never had been put through the ordeal in the first place. I am satisfied your sexual interest in children has not gone away.”
“Your focus was on your own sexual gratification. Vulnerable children were harmed and the effect has been long lasting.”
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