Paedophile jailed for sex abuse spanning 16 years

A "selfish and dangerous" paedophile has been jailed for sexually abusing girls as young as four over a 16-year period.

Dominic Scribbins, 39, from Plymouth, appeared at Bristol Court Crown on Monday, where he was sentenced to 20 years.

At a trial in November, he was found guilty of 16 offences against victims aged between four and 14 from Bristol and Dorset.

Judge William Hart said Scribbins "abused the trust of three different families in order to sexually abuse their young daughters".

Det Sgt Lucy Bryant, of Avon and Somerset Police, led a four-year investigation into Scribbins after one victim approached officers in 2020. Following this, other victims came forward.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, one woman detailed the horrific abuse inflicted on her.

"The flashbacks of my body being touched in such a way makes me feel physically ill," she said.

"It's like an out-of-body experience in the nightmare. I am always stood next to my younger self, living and watching the abuse happen.

"What you did to me as a child was so disgusting. I have no idea how you lived with yourself for all those years."

Another of his victims said she had been left "riddled with anxiety" and suffering from sleep paralysis.

Addressing Scribbins in court, she said: "You have made me terrified of living my life, terrified of bringing children of my own into this world because the reality I know is there are monsters like you living amongst us.

"I am here to tell you today that the little girl you took advantage of years ago, that little innocent girl you stole from, is no longer that terrified little girl.

"I am a survivor and stronger for it. I choose to not let you win. More than half of my life you got away with this, but not any more."

Following sentencing, Ms Bryant delivered a statement outside the court, commending the "exceptional bravery, patience and courage" of the victims.

"Today, this bravery has been rewarded as a dangerous man is put behind bars for a very long time," she said.

"He was selfish in his actions, seeking to meet his own sexual desires with no remorse or care for those that he harmed.

"His crimes were hateful, and to then subject his victims to the long court process by not admitting to what he had done is cowardly.

"I hope that other victims know that no matter when the abuse happened, if something has happened to you then please report it to us. You will be supported."

Scribbins' convictions include eight counts of indecent assault and three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13.

He was handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offenders register for life.

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