Swindon judge condemns paedophile who sexually abused teen online

Trevor Fernandes threatened to expose illicit images of the American teen unless she performed lewd acts on herself, her baby sister and her pet dog.

She was told to comply with his every instruction and call him ‘master Trevor’, or he would send the images to her contacts, Swindon Crown Court heard.

Trevor Fernandes. Photo: NCA

Fernandes, of Dixon Street, had denied 16 sex offences but was unanimously convicted by the jury after less than an hour and a half of deliberations.

On Thursday (August 11), he fell to be sentenced by Judge Jason Taylor QC.

In his sentencing remarks, the judge said he was “unanimously convicted by the jury on overwhelming evidence”.

His demands for her to perform sexual acts upon herself “were followed up by further demands to send images and/or videos proof she had done what she was told”.

“There was never any doubt that the abuser had done this. The sole question was who was the abuser.

Read more about this case:

• JAILED: Pervert who blackmailed sex slave teen sent down for 14 years
• Swindon man who forced teen to perform sex act on dog found guilty by jury
• Alleged Swindon child sex abuser's phone hack claims rubbished by expert
• Alleged child sex abuser denies knowing he had Knox installed
• Swindon child sex abuse accused claims he let 'all and sundry' use his phone

“Despite efforts to cover your tracks, the National Crime Agency found a secure partition on your phone. You claimed you must have been hacked.

“That evidence was palpably insane. The notion that the hacker could achieve more than a hostile state or intelligence agency was understandably rejected by the jury.

“You were the abuser, you treated this poor girl like a sexual servant, treating her like you were her master.

“You took advantage of a vulnerable girl who had little or no self-esteem. Someone who you spotted was so desperate for attention and validation that she could be manipulated into performing your deprave sexual whims.

“It is evidenced by the passage of chat immediately prior to her running away from home. This was extremely degrading, the memories of which as a [teenager] will be seared into her for the rest of her life, no matter how much she tries to blank it out.

“The most serious counts, counts 5, 10, and 13, all have a starting point of 5 years, with a range of 4-10 years. Quite apart from the fact there are multiple culpability A factors, there are also several aggravating features.”

Judge Taylor said he could infer there was “severe psychological harm caused” to the girl.

“That’s one of the reasons they haven’t gone back to the girl to get a victim personal statement, they have to tread very carefully because more damage might be caused.

“These offences were committed in her own home, a place of safety but for the ability of the internet to break down walls.

“I have to reflect the remaining counts, all of which have starting points measured in years. The nature of the abuse in many of those counts move it beyond the starting point and further up the range.”

Fernandes was jailed at Swindon Crown Court on August 11. Photo: Dave Cox. (Image: Dave Cox)

As well as the aggravating features, the judge also accounted for statutory mitigating features, including his lack of previous convictions, and the personal mitigation advanced by his barrister, Beata Kopel.

“Notwithstanding you denied guilt, you have now made limited admissions and are said to be remorseful. You are clever and deceptive, adept at presenting an image that will be in your best interest at any given time. That feeds into the assessment of the risk you pose.

“In my judgement the circumstances of the offending in counts one to sixteen are sufficient for me to conclude there is a risk of serious harm to members of the public.

“There may have been a single victim, but these were a series of offences.”

Judge Taylor said the 37-year-old’s offending including elements of dominance and control, and he had provided a lack of genuine insight.

“I concur with probation that you pose a high risk of serious harm to children. That could eventuate at any time, and would increase if you live a double life I have no doubt you are capable of.”

Judge Taylor concluded that the “significant” risks could not be managed in a determinate sentence.

Fernandes was given a total custodial sentence of 14 years, as well as an extended licence period of five years. This means he will serve two thirds of the custodial term before becoming eligible for parole – which will only be granted if the Parole Board assess his risk has reduced.

He will only be “entitled” to be released at the end of the 14 years and whenever he is released, he will be subject to licence requirements until the end of the 19-year sentence.