Sex predator jailed for 20 years after rape of three girls.

Joe Pearson, of Victoria Place, Stoke, Plymouth, was sentenced to 26 years in prison for a string of sexual offenses against young girls.

Plymouth Crown Court heard how Pearson, now 22, targeted three girls, all under the age of 15, between 2019 and 2020. He was found guilty of two counts of rape of a child under 13, one count of rape of a teenager, and three counts of penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 15.

The court heard that Pearson met all three girls online and groomed them. He then committed the offenses, often at isolated locations, and threatened his victims to prevent them from reporting the abuse.

Judge Peter Johnson described Pearson as a "sexual predator" who had "left a trail of emotional carnage and trauma behind him." He noted the "massive, traumatic daily effects" the offenses had on the victims, as detailed in their victim impact statements.

The first victim, who was under 13 when the abuse began, said she had left school due to bullying and had trouble trusting new people. She experienced flashbacks and panic attacks, and had to change her appearance to avoid triggering her memories.

The second victim said the rape and abuse was the "worst time of my life," and had left her with anxiety, depression, and difficulty concentrating. She said she constantly felt vulnerable in public.

The third victim said she had distanced herself from her family and struggled to cope with the pain, turning to drugs as a coping mechanism. She said she felt "worthless" and hated what she saw in the mirror.

The victims' mothers also gave emotional statements describing the impact of the abuse on their families. One mother said the "vile actions" of Pearson had left their family feeling "broken and helpless," and that her daughter had been left a "shadow of the girl she used to be."

Despite being arrested in May 2020, Pearson denied the offenses, continuing to claim the abuse was consensual. He was released under investigation, but continued his offending.

In addition to the prison sentence, Pearson was placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and banned from working with vulnerable adults and children.

Detective Sergeant Chris Kinski from the Plymouth Operation Gemstone team praised the bravery of the victims for coming forward and reporting the abuse. He encouraged other victims of sexual offenses to come forward and report their experiences, assuring them that they would be believed and supported.