Man jailed for 32 years for raping children

A “vile” 34-year-old man who raped and sexually assaulted multiple young children has been jailed for more than 30 years.

Timothy Mealing, of no fixed address, was convicted of 24 sexual offences committed against four girls and of attempting to bribe one of the survivors to withdraw their support for the police investigation.

At Bristol Crown Court on Monday (19 October) he was handed an extended prison sentence of 32-and-a-half years, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and Restraining Orders.

His abuse was reported to a teacher who then informed police with detectives from our specialist child protection team launching an investigation.

During the course of the investigation, Mealing attempted to bribe one of the survivors with £600 in exchange for them withdrawing a police interview they provided.

He was later charged with more than two dozen offences, including perverting the course of justice.

At Bristol Crown Court he pleaded guilty to offences against two survivors, but denied those against the two others.

However, following a trial in September, a jury unanimously found him guilty of the remaining offences.

He was convicted of:

• Five counts of rape of a child under 13
• One count of attempting to rape a child under the age of 13
• Six counts of sexual assault of a child under 13
• Five counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration
• Three counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• One count of rape
• One count of attempted rape
• Two counts of taking indecent photographs of a child
• One count of perverting the course of justice

The judge directed that a further offence of rape was left to lie on file.

A woman, 33-year-old Stacey Smith of 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.

At Mealing’s sentencing hearing on Monday, powerful victim personal statements from each of the four victims were read out.

One of the survivors spoke of how what had happened had meant she had lost friends at school.

“This has affected me massively,” she said, adding that her teachers had been supportive, but that not everyone knew what had happened to her.

Another of the survivors said in their statement: “When I am older – if I have children of my own – I will be so scared that they will be abused like I have been. I will want to protect them.

“What [they] have done has changed my whole life. This will have an impact on me forever.”

Addressing Mealing directly, one of the survivors said: “I grew up way too soon because of you; way too fast.

“You did things to me that were supposed to be left to adults. You stole that from me and you did that to me, which wasn’t fair. My childhood was stolen from me.”

She added: “I won’t get over it today, or tomorrow, but now it is time for me to love myself. Now is a time for change.

“I have shown my nieces, nephews and my children that no matter what happens, they can always knock on my door. I will make things right for my own kids and for the family.

Another of the survivors said Mealing’s abuse still affected her relationships today, but that she now works to protect children from suffering similar harm.

The survivor said: “Going through this, I find it easier to pick up signs from children. I feel it is my job to protect the children I work with from something like I have been through. In work I am known for reporting every concern I have.

“I feel that is someone would have picked up the tiny signs from me then they may have realised what had happened. Now it’s my job to do it for other people and to give them what I wish I had.

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

Mealing was sentenced to an extended 32-and-a-half years in prison, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and Restraining Orders to protect the survivors.

Detective Constable Emma Parry, the investigating officer said: “Throughout this investigation and the court process I have been amazed beyond belief by the bravery of these young girls and women.

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

“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.

“This has been a complex investigation and I’m very thankful to the support from DC Beth Cook and Investigative Support Officer Christine Williams, along with our child abuse specialist team who helped us reach this point and ensured the victims received all the support they needed throughout the investigation and the court process.

“Social services, education and the police formed an incredible relationship during this investigation which demonstrates multi-agency working at its best.”