Former cricket coach jailed for sexual offences after more victims come forward

Friday, 3 January 2025 14:53

A man has been jailed for seven years for sexually assaulting two young victims.

(Please Note that this article contains graphic descriptions)

David Taylor, aged 62 and of Higher Fraddon, was convicted at trial of 10 indecent assaults. He had previously been jailed for separate offences against a number of other victims.

The court heard how the victims in the most recent case had come forward after seeing media coverage following two previous trials where Taylor was convicted.

Taylor was sentenced at Truro Crown Court on Friday after guilty verdicts following a third trial.

The offences had taken place dating back to the 1980s when the victims were in their teens.

Victim impact statements were read out at court. In one of the statements, a victim said how Taylor’s offending has consumed her thoughts and life and still does to this day. Another victim said that words cannot convey the fear, anxiety, stress and pressure of having to try to constantly protect herself from a sexual predator throughout her entire teenage years.

Taylor had been previously convicted in 2021 for touching a woman and a teenager without consent. Media coverage of that trial resulted in more victims coming forward and a second trial taking place in August 2023. As a result, Taylor was sent to jail for 21 months after being found guilty of sexual offences against three more women.

The court heard at the time that Taylor, who had previously been a well-known cricket coach in the Truro area, had used his position to abuse female players.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Hannah Milburn said: “I would like to pay testimony to the bravery of the victims in this case, in not only reporting the incidents but supporting the lengthy and complex investigation that followed. I hope that the result will offer them some comfort and closure as they look to move forward with their lives.

“All sexual offences are taken seriously by the police, regardless as to whether they occurred recently or many decades ago. Offenders will be investigated as thoroughly as possible in order for them to be held accountable for their crimes.”

Support available:

If you have been affected by this article there is support available.

You can visit victimcare-dc.org to access support services and information on your rights and how to navigate the criminal justice system.

You can also call Victim Support on 0808 1689 111 or Devon and Cornwall Police’s Victim Care Unit on 01392 475900.

Advice and support can also be found at:

National Rape Crisis Helpline 0808 802 9999

Devon and Cornwall Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) 0300 3034626

For more information please visit: www.dc.police.uk/Rape-SexualAssault