Research scientist Michael Taylor groomed girls to 'satisfy his lust'
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by Julia Roberts
A military research scientist who groomed and corrupted
young girls to "satisfy his lust" has been jailed for nine
years.
Judge Jeremy Gold QC told 47-year-old Michael Taylor that behind
his respectable veneer lay a "predatory paedophile".
Taylor, who has worked for the Ministry of Defence developing
counter explosive devices for use in Afghanistan, had denied 10
offences of indecent assault, six offences of sexual assault, two
of rape and two of indecency with a child.
But at the end of a two-week trial at Maidstone Crown Court a
jury of seven women and five men found him guilty of all charges
except one offence of sexual assault.
They heard the abuse was committed in the Maidstone area and
went as far back as 1995.
Taylor, a former schoolteacher and now living in Westrop,
Highworth, Swindon in Wiltshire, was described by his defence
counsel as a valued member of the scientific community who had led
a worthwhile life.
But Judge Gold said Taylor had used his respectability to gain
the girls' trust. "Behind that respectable veneer lies a predatory
paedophile with a particular interest in pre-pubescent girls," he
said.
The judge described Taylor as using one of his victims as "an
instrument" through which he satisfied his lust. He added that such
"perverted behaviour" had had a lasting effect on her.
At the end of the trial Judge Gold criticised the Crown
Prosecution Service for the "extraordinary delay" in bringing the
case to court.
DC Paula Howe, from Maidstone
Police's Public Protection Unit, said: "This man cast a net of
depraved sexual terror which spanned over a decade and involved the
sexual abuse of two children, one of whom was only 11-years-old
when the assaults began.
"This inquiry has been a long and difficult one but it would not
have been possible without the sheer bravery of the victims and
they should be commended for their courage in coming forward to
report these crimes.
"Without the courage shown by
the victims, this case may never have come to court.
"I hope the sentences handed
down today will allow the victims of these crimes to continue to
rebuild their lives, safe in the knowledge that Taylor will remain
in prison for a significant time.
"Every child matters and those who decide to abuse children will be
pursued by police, no matter how long ago those crimes were
committed."
Friday, August 27 2010
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