UPDATED: "Horrific" sex offender handed life sentence

David Francis Shepherd was convicted of a string of offences involving young girls in the Philippines, including four offences of rape of a child under 13 and must serve a minimum of 14 years in prison.

Evidence emerged after police received information that an individual identified as Shepherd had been in contact over the internet with someone who was facilitating the sexual abuse of children. 

Shepherd was arrested on November 10 last year at the Loders Arms near Bridport where he was living as pub landlord.

After the defendant was cautioned and various equipment was seized he said: "I know what you’re talking about, I’ve been chatting on the internet but I’ve never followed it through."

Prior to the trial, he had pleaded guilty to inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, four counts of making indecent photographs of a child, four charges of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence and one count of paying for sexual services of a child.

Shepherd, aged 60, was found guilty of 13 counts, including four offences of rape of a child under 13, attempted rape, three counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two of taking indecent photographs of a child, assault of a child under 13 by penetration and arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.

Following the verdicts in the first trial and further legal arguments, Shepherd pleaded guilty to nine further charges of arranging or facilitating the commission of child sex offences and two counts of making indecent photos of a child.

An extensive examination of his computers and digital storage devices uncovered hundreds of thousands of indecent images and videos of children. 

It also revealed his involvement in directing at least 76 live sex shows involving Filippina children and that the full extent of his offending had been going on since 2007.

Chat logs revealed Shepherd had expressed an interest in children as young as six with one involving the discussion of a 17-month old baby.

The court heard that during police interviews Shepherd denied visiting and meeting the children in the Philippines, despite evidence including videos of him abusing children, travel tickets and financial records indicating otherwise.

It was established that between April 20 2011 and September 9 2015 Shepherd transferred £18,510.87 to the Philippines. In total £12,014.01 was transferred to the facilitators of child sex. The prosecution considered this a minimum figure.

In interview Shepherd had said he knew it was wrong but "just couldn't stop [himself]" when it came to looking an indecent images.

Judge Peter Johnson said: "This was a long period of cynical exploitation. I reject your claim that you believed the children were aged 13 or over. I reject all your evident in relation to the children you abused. Your claim about checking to ensure children were above the age of consent was nonsense.

"You have no moral boundaries. You have shown no remorse.

"Your performance shows you as an intelligent, arrogant and devious man.

"It is grotesquely false that the girls were willing sex workers.

"You were prepared to say anything, no matter how absurd to save your own skin.

"Your acts will haunt your victims for the rest of their days. Their innocence has been taken from them.

"You have a deeply engraved sexual interest in young children. 

"You are unquestionably a danger.

"This life sentence reflects the public abhorrence for your shocking crimes."

An NSPCC spokesperson for South West England said: “This extremely distressing case involved horrendous sexual abuse of numerous children in the Philippines.

“Not only did Shepherd own and share these despicable images and videos, but he also personally arranged, financed and photographed the abuse himself.

“The youngsters in these pictures and films are the victims of unspeakable abuse and the harrowing experiences they endured for the sexual gratification of Shepherd and other offenders should not be underestimated.

“His appalling crimes have only helped fuel this disgusting trade in images which destroys children's lives, wherever in the world it takes place.

“Hundreds of people are convicted in cases like this each year, and urgent action is needed. If anyone is concerned a child is being abused, they should call our helpline on 0808 800 5000.

“If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 999 straight away.”

Tracy Harris, senior Crown Prosecutor at Wessex Crown Prosecution Service said: “CPS Wessex is committed to prosecuting those who sexually abuse children and the sentence handed down today shows how seriously child abuse offences are taken.

"It also sends out the strong message that the courts will look to protect vulnerable victims against those who prey on them for their own sexual gratification.

“CPS Wessex worked closely with the police and faced with the strength of the case we presented to the court David Shepherd was either convicted of or pleaded guilty to a number of charges of rape, sexual assault, arranging and facilitating the making of movies as well as the making and possession of indecent images of children.

“This case demonstrates that no matter where you are carrying out these offences  you can be brought to justice.”