A man from Plymouth who sexually abused several young girls has been jailed. Dominic Scribbins sexually and indecently assaulted children across Bristol and Dorset, with his youngest victim being just four-years-old at the time of his crimes.
The 39-year-old was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court today (Monday, January 13) after a jury found him guilty of 16 offences at the same court last November. The court hears how, between 2003 and 2019, Scribbins sexually and indecently assaulted multiple young girls aged between four and 14.
A four-year-long investigation began in 2020, after one of his victims came forward and reported a series of non-recent sexual assaults carried out by Scribbins. Other victims then came forward with their reports and Scribbins was arrested in 2021, with charges brought in May last year.
Following a seven-day trial at Bristol Crown Court, the jury found guilty of eight counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexually assaulting a child under 13, two counts of assaulting a child under 13 by penetration, and one count each of assault by penetration, sexual assault and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
Scribbins was jailed for 20 years. He was also was handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the Sexual Offender Register for life.
In a personal statement, one of Scribbins’ victims said the attack is still in their head to this day. “I remember it like it was yesterday. It is hard to let what happened to me go and I worry now if it will happen again,” they said.
“Even though I know he’s not going to be near me, I always look around for him. I don’t know where he is and I’m always watching my back – he could be anywhere.”
Another said: “The action of Scribbins have greatly affected my life in ways in which no one can truly understand. Since he committed these crimes, I have not really come to terms with it. It created a ripple effect in my life which I know will never go away.
“I was only an innocent child when my childhood was taken from me. What Scribbins did to me made me the person I am today but not in a good way. In fact, it has made the way I live and see the world very unhealthy and a lot of the time sad.
“I have to live with the trauma and repercussions of Scribbins’ actions for the rest of my life and there is nothing I can do about that, but I can make sure that from this day onwards, no one has to experience the abuse I did because of him, makes all this seem worth it.”
Officer in the case, Detective Sergeant Lucy Bryant, said: “The victims have shown exceptional bravery and courage over the past four years since they came forward and today, this bravery is rewarded as a very dangerous man is put behind bars for a long time.
“No child should have to endure the pain that Scribbins subjected his victims to. Children and other vulnerable members of our society should be able to grow, flourish and live their lives without fear from sexual predators like Scribbins.
“He was selfish in his actions, seeking to meet his own desires with little remorse or care for those he harmed, and he only brought pain and suffering to his victims. His crimes are hateful and to then subject his victims to a long court process by not admitting to what he had done, is cowardly.
“I hope that other victims know that no matter when the abuse happened, if something has happened to you then please report it to us, you will be supported.”