Toby Elliott

Toby Elliott, an 18-year-old from Gorran Haven in Cornwall, was sentenced at Truro Crown Court on 12 September 2025 for the rape of a child under 13. Elliott, who has autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), contacted the vulnerable autistic girl on Snapchat on 23 June 2025, despite her profile clearly indicating her age as 12. He groomed her by asking if she wanted to lose her virginity and checking for parental tracking on her phone, then drove her 12 miles from her home to a layby near another Cornish town.

In the layby, Elliott raped the girl in two ways before driving her back. He later messaged her about presenting herself better for future encounters. The victim confided in a friend, who informed her mother, leading to a police report. Elliott was arrested and pleaded guilty to two counts of rape of a girl under 13. The court heard Elliott's exposure to pornography from a young age distorted his understanding of sexual relationships, contributing to his predatory behaviour.

The victim's mother described the 'catastrophic impact' in a statement, noting her daughter's transformation from a bright, high-energy child to a withdrawn individual engaging in self-harm and suicide attempts. Defence barrister Jason Beal highlighted Elliott's youth, lack of maturity, and genuine remorse, though he struggled to articulate it fully, saying, 'I feel bad how it affected her.' Judge James Adkin classified Elliott as a dangerous offender presenting a high risk of re-offending, citing his predatory contact with a child and efforts to conceal the crime.

• 'What happened to her has crushed us all as a family... This crime has changed her childhood and her future,' stated the victim's mother.
• 'You are a dangerous offender,' remarked Judge Adkin.

The sentence included an extended licence period for supervision. Elliott must adhere to strict measures upon release to protect the public.