Chard: Child Sex Offender Jailed

11 September 2014, 12:33 | Updated: 11 September 2014, 12:45

A man from Chard has begun six years, six months in prison for admitting to sex offences involving two girls and possessing more than 2,500 indecent images of children.

Police say Nigel Stephen Bargery, 54, from Langdon Close, pleaded guilty to a series of offences at Taunton Crown Court, including: 

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 

Police say the sexual offences were committed against two girls between October 2011 and August 2013, at properties in Taunton and Bridgwater, and first reported in late summer 2013.

Investigating officer Detective Constable 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.''