By Grâçia Ada Obi
An 82-year-old man has been jailed for sexually assaulting a teenage girl after reading the Bible. John Fox, who now has dementia and lives in Exmouth, committed the offences 30 years ago.
He groomed the girl when he was aged in his 50s – exploiting his position as a trusted adult and Christian to target the vulnerable victim. She was aged 13 when he began committing the offences, getting her alone where he could grope, kiss and rub up against her.
Fox pleaded guilty to 13 charges of indecent assault. He has been jailed for three-and-a-half years at Exeter Crown Court.
He claims not to remember any of the incidents due to his mental frailty but the court was told he once ‘confessed’ his guilt in a letter. The victim read a moving personal statement in court in which she said he commanded such respect in the community that she never questioned his motives at the time and “surmised it must be okay with God.”
As she grew older she realised she had been manipulated and taken advantage of when she was too young to realise what his real motives were. She was left with feelings of anger and betrayal.
Prosecutor James Keeley said the offences happened in London and started with Fox touching the girl’s knee, bottom and kissing her after bible study before progressing to groping under her clothing, rubbing against her and attempted digital penetration.
In a statement the victim said Fox had used his position of trust to isolate and take advantage of her. “He was, and is, incredibly clever,” she said. “He made me feel I was choosing this experience.”
She said he would demand “absolute secrecy” about the abuse and was “respected” spiritually and as a community leader. “I never questioned his motives and authority,” she said. “I was in awe of him.”
Fox would give the girl compliments and gifts as part of his grooming process. “He exploited my trust and manipulated me. He knew exactly what he was doing in abusing me.”
Nick Tucker, defending, said Fox had led a solitary life and never been in a long term relationship. He had done a lot of work for charity and had no previous convictions. He now has progressive dementia. Mr Tucker said the inevitable prison sentence could be suspended.
Judge David Evans told Fox, of Morton Road: “You groomed and exploited her for your own sexual gratification. You knew fully what you were up to. She did not and could have known at that age.”
“There is no justification for suspension. It is so serious that there can only be immediate imprisonment. You deserve that sort of punishment. The harm you caused was very great.”