Ilchester man jailed
Karl Pitcher, of Great Orchard, Ilchester near Yeovil was jailed for 10 years four months yesterday. He was found guilty at a trial on 16 March of 11 counts of indecent assault of four children between 1993 and 2003. The court heard how, over a 10-year period, Pitcher sexually assaulted four girls on numerous occasions. They were aged between two and 14 years old. In 2020 two victims who had been sexually assaulted as children came forward. The investigating officers carried out enquiries which led to further examination of a further two cases, which were reported in the 2000s. Both cases were investigated at the time, which we were unfortunately unable to prosecute.
Yesterday (Thursday 8 June) Pilcher was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court. As well as jail he was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
At the sentencing, Recorder Judge Millard commended the ‘strong women’ who came forward for the case. He added: “You are a predator of young girls. Over 10 years, you demonstrated a long-term commitment to abuse young girls. You’ve displayed no victim empathy in this case. They are strong women. It takes strength and courage to report the offences and come to trial. I commend them for it. They do not deserve to hear your continual denial.”
Victims of rape or sexual assault, recent or non-recent, can self-refer to The Bridge, a Sexual Assault Referral Centre available 24/7 365 days a year. Visit their website at www.thebridgecanhelp.org.uk or call 0117 342 6999.