A 54-year-old man from Chard has been jailed for six-and-a-half years for carrying out a series of sexual offences against two girls and possessing more than 2,500 indecent images of children.

Nigel Stephen Bargery, of Langdon Close, admitted a series of offences and was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court today (September 11).

The offences he admitted included:

  • Eight counts of sexual touching of a child under 13
  • Two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13
  • Six counts of making indecent images of a child

The sexual offences were committed against two girls between October 2011 and August 2013, at properties in Taunton and Bridgwater.

They were first reported to police in late summer 2013.

Investigating officer Det Con Darren Lipscomb said: “Nigel Bargery is a manipulative and devious offender.

“He abused these two girls over a lengthy spell of time and manipulated situations to make sure he had time alone with them.

“When he was arrested, his car and home address were searched and a number of computers were seized.

“They were examined by our High-Tech Crime Unit and were found to contain more than 2,500 indecent images of children, some at the highest level of seriousness.

“Although he didn’t admit to the sexual offences in interview, he entered guilty pleas at court demonstrating the strength of evidence against him.

“I’d like to praise the victims for showing tremendous strength in speaking about the abuse they’ve suffered and I’m glad they have been spared the ordeal of giving evidence in court.”

If you would like more information on sexual abuse and agencies you can turn to for support, please visit www.thisisnotanexcuse.org.uk