Dustin Gandley

A paedophile from Sedgemoor has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for a series of sexual offences against a young girl. Dustin Gandley, aged 37 and residing in Hamp Brook Way, Bridgwater, targeted the victim, who was under 13 years old, over a four-year period, committing the assaults a total of 11 times until the girl disclosed the abuse to her mother, leading to a police report.

The case was heard at Taunton Crown Court, where Gandley, a Jehovah’s Witness and cabinet-maker from the Highbridge area, pleaded guilty to ten offences of sexual assault against a female under 13 and one charge of inciting the victim to engage in sexual activity. Prosecuting barrister Nicolas Gerasimidis highlighted Gandley's reluctance to admit the full extent of his actions, stating: “He felt that with one indiscretion the church would have accepted him back but if there were a series of them it would be more difficult.” This reluctance stemmed from concerns over his standing within his religious community.

Defending barrister Lawrence Wilcox noted that Gandley was of previous good character with no prior convictions. He described the severe consequences Gandley had already faced, saying: “He is a cabinet-maker but has lost his job, home and his relationship with his wife. He has lost everything.” Wilcox added that Gandley accepted he deserved imprisonment for his crimes.

Sentencing Judge Graham Hume Jones condemned Gandley's actions, remarking: “You took advantage of her to gratify whatever sexual need you had at that particular moment. This behaviour had a serious effect on the child, but also on the child’s family and on her mother.” In addition to the 30-month custodial sentence, Gandley was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register and received a ban from unsupervised contact with children.

The offences, which involved repeated sexual assaults and incitement to sexual activity, underscore the profound impact on the victim and her family. The mother of the victim spoke out after the sentencing, expressing her devastation and urging other parents to be vigilant for signs of abuse, such as changes in a child's mood.