Bridgwater man jailed for rape
Simon Wheaton, from Bridgwater, was jailed for 11 years for raping a child at Swindon Crown Court last Thursday. Police said Wheaton committed multiple non-recent child sexual offences. He was found guilty of the following charges:
- Inciting a boy under 14 years of age to commit an act of gross indecency
- Indecent assault on boy under the age of 14 years
- Indecently assaulting a boy, under 14, on at least two further occasions after that.
- Rape of a boy under 16 years
- Rape of a boy under 16 years, on at least two further occasions.
The victim, who is legally entitled to remain anonymous, said Wheaton controlled him. He was only able to open up to a counsellor years after the abuse took place.
DC Charlotte Hodgkiss said: “The courage shown by the victim since these abhorrent crimes, and especially during this investigation, has been immense. Simon Wheaton has never shown any remorse for his predatory and sickening behaviour and deserves the custodial sentence he has received. We hope other victims of sexual abuse take confidence from the bravery shown by the victim in this case. All reports will be taken seriously and it does not matter how long ago the abuse happened.”