His victim did not have enough money to pay the fare – and ended up ‘terrified’ as she ‘froze’ and thought she would cry before he told her to keep it quiet
Terence Round was sentenced to four years in prison at Truro Crown Court(Image: Devon and Cornwall Police)
A taxi driver sexually abused a child in his car before giving her a free lift, a court has heard.
Terence Round, 79, drove his victim to an isolated spot in Cornwall three years ago after she was unable to pay a £30 fare.
Round, of St Giles on the Heath, appeared for sentence at Truro Crown Court on Monday (January 19) after pleading guilty to engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl who was aged under 16 and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Prosecuting the case, Heather Hope told how Round had given the teen lifts before and had previously asked how old she was over text.
When she told him her age, Ms Hope said the defendant replied that it was a shame she was not 16.
The prosecution added that on the date of the offence, the teen did not have the funds to pay for where she needed to be and offered Round anything he wanted in exchange for a free lift.
The court heard that after an exchange of texts, the defendant took his victim to an isolated spot where he locked the car doors and carried out his offences.
Ms Hope told how the victim was “terrified” and “froze”, feeling as though she would cry.
After the offence, the court heard the defendant reminded his victim not to tell anyone and took her to where she needed to be.
Representing Round, Emily Cook accepted this is “clearly very serious offending”.
But she said Round is “not a risk – he has never offended before”. She added that there were “rather odd and unusual circumstances which led to this offending”.
Terence Round was sentenced to four years in prison at Truro Crown Court(Image: Devon and Cornwall Police)
She said Round initially understood ‘anything he wants’ in exchange for a lift to mean cleaning his car.
The defence added Round has “not offended again” and “he no longer works as a taxi driver – his career has ended”.
Ms Cook went on to stress how a custodial sentence would place his wife, who is dependent on Round, under “very significant hardship”.
Sentencing the defendant, His Honour Judge James Adkin said: “You were a taxi driver, you gave her a lift and took her to an isolated spot.”
He added the victim “said she was terrified, she felt she was about to cry”.
“After, you told her to get dressed and act like nothing happened,” adding that the defendant reminded his victim not to tell anyone.
Judge Adkin noted that he had no previous convictions and said his personal circumstances at home were mitigating factors.
Round was sentenced to four years in prison and will remain on the sex offender register for life.
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