Dangerous Paedophile Jailed for 18 Years

John Toms, 65, from Oldford, Frome, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for a series of historical sexual offenses against children.

Toms pleaded guilty to 22 charges including rape, gross indecency, and indecent assault at Taunton Crown Court.

His arrest in July followed an incident where a member of the public witnessed him attempting to photograph a young girl on a bus.

The charges stem from incidents involving four children in the 1980s and 1990s. During a search of his home, officers discovered indecent images of children on his computer.

Det Con Jon Hooper stated that the victims, all from the east Somerset area, were approximately six years old when the abuse began.

"John Toms admitted during police interviews that he was sexually attracted to young children and was in possession of indecent images," Hooper added. "Toms is clearly a dangerous and predatory paedophile and we believe there may be more victims who have not yet been located."

The judge declared that Toms exhibited "an extreme and perverted interest in young girls" and acknowledged the "untold damage" he inflicted upon his victims.