Timothy Mealing, a 34-year-old man of no fixed address, has been jailed for more than 30 years after being convicted of 24 sexual offences committed against four girls. The sentence was handed down at Bristol Crown Court on Monday, October 19.
Mealing was found guilty of five counts of rape of a child under 13, one count of attempting to rape a child under 13, six counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, five counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration, three counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, one count of rape, one count of attempted rape, two counts of taking indecent photographs of a child, and one count of perverting the course of justice. He was also convicted of attempting to bribe one of the survivors to withdraw their support for the police investigation.
Survivor speaks out in court
Addressing Mealing directly, one of the survivors said: "I grew up way too soon because of you; way too fast. You did things to me that were supposed to be left to adults. You stole that from me and you did that to me, which wasn't fair. My childhood was stolen from me."
She added: "I won't get over it today, or tomorrow, but now it is time for me to love myself. Now is a time for change. I have shown my nieces, nephews and my children that no matter what happens, they can always knock on my door. I will make things right for my own kids and for the family."
Investigation and bribe attempt
Mealing's abuse was reported to a teacher, who then informed police, leading to an investigation by the specialist child protection team. During the investigation, Mealing attempted to bribe one of the survivors with £600 in exchange for them withdrawing a police interview they provided.
He was later charged with more than two dozen offences, including perverting the course of justice. At Bristol Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to offences against two survivors but denied those against the two others. Following a trial in September, a jury unanimously found him guilty of the remaining offences.
Police response and sentence
Detective Constable Emma Parry, the investigating officer, said: "Timothy Mealing preyed on very young girls in the most despicable way imaginable and the horrific nature of his crimes is reflected on the very significant prison sentence he is now beginning. He stole each of the victims' innocence and – as they have said themselves – their childhoods, leaving them with trauma which will live with them for a very long time, if not forever."
She added: "Having to recount the most traumatic of abuse they suffered at the hands of this vile man has not been easy, but they should be so proud that they have helped bring him to justice." Mealing was handed an extended prison sentence of 32-and-a-half years, along with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and Restraining Orders.
