A Cornwall dive-shop owner has been imprisoned for 27 years after being found guilty of 16 offences of sexually abusing children.
Marc Bear, 38, was also given a year on extended licence, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will sign the Sex Offenders Register for life. Appearing for sentencing at Truro Crown Court on 5 December, he was told by His Honour Judge Carr that he would be a risk to children for the rest of his life.
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Bear ran the One Stop Dive-Shop in Launceston. The business was incorporated in December last year and he had stepped down as its director in mid-November following the conclusion of the trial in which a jury found him guilty of 10 counts of rape, two of sexual assault, two of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two of causing a person to engage in sexual activity.
The defendant had also been found not guilty of two offences of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, one count of rape and one count of sexual assault.
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Following his conviction in November, Bear had been warned that he faced a custodial sentence but was given bail to prepare. He had absconded but been located the following day in Somerset, after which the judge had told him that his skipping bail had “told me everything I need to know about your character”.
“This was a highly disturbing case where the offender has exploited the vulnerability of young people for his own sexual gratification, and I welcome the sentence handed down by the judge,” said investigating officer Det-Constable Tim Barbery from Devon & Cornwall Police’s Public Protection Unit.
“This has been a protracted investigation due to the nature of the offences and the strength and bravery shown by the victims in support of the police case has been crucial. I hope the outcome given today provides them with a small element of closure so that they can begin to move forward.”
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