'Vile' paedophile jailed for raping young girls

A "vile" paedophile who raped and sexually assaulted a number of children has been jailed for more than 30 years.

Timothy Mealing, of no fixed address, was convicted of 24 sexual offences against four girls including five counts of raping a child under 13.

Mealing, 34, had pleaded guilty to offences against two survivors but denied those against two others. Following a trial in September at Bristol Crown Court, a jury unanimously found him guilty of the remaining offences.

One of his victims said he had caused her a "lifetime of trauma", while Det Con Emma Parry said the "vile man preyed on very young girls in the most despicable way imaginable".

During the trial, jurors were told that Mealing attempted to pay one of the survivors with a £600 bribe to keep quiet.

He was handed an extended prison sentence of 32-and-a-half years, a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order.

At his sentencing hearing on Monday, one of his four victims said in their statement: "What [they] have done has changed my whole life. This will have an impact on me forever."

While another, who addressed Mealing directly, said: "You did things to me that were supposed to be left to adults.

"My childhood was stolen from me."

A third survivor, who now works to protect children, said Mealing's abuse still affects her relationships.

"I feel that if someone would have picked up the tiny signs from me then they may have realised what had happened," they said.

"Maybe then I would have been safe from a lifetime of trauma."

Mealing's abuse was reported to a teacher who then informed police.

Det Con Parry, the investigating officer, said these young girls and women "should be so proud that they have helped bring him to justice".

"Timothy Mealing preyed on very young girls in the most despicable way imaginable and the horrific nature of his crimes is reflected on the very significant prison sentence he is now beginning," she said.

"Having to recount the most traumatic of abuse they suffered at the hands of this vile man has not been easy.

"He stole each of the victims' innocence and – as they have said themselves – their childhoods, leaving them with trauma which will live with them for a very long time, if not forever."

Stacey Smith, 33, from Keynsham was also convicted of perverting the course of justice earlier this year.

She was previously handed a two-year suspended prison sentence in connection with the investigation.

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