Locations
Eastleigh Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA1
Description
A PAEDOPHILE from Taunton who had sex with two under-age girls while filming his disgusting acts on a hidden video camera has been jailed for seven years.
Former church volunteer Arthur Waite, of Eastleigh Road, was caught when he took photos of the girls, aged 13 and 15, to be developed and police were called.
He covered his head in shame while being led into Taunton Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday), having pleaded guilty to nine charges, including one of rape.
Prosecuting, Ian Dixey, said the offences took place between 2004 and 2005 when the children were left in Waite's care a number of times.
On August 26, 2005, after being alerted by staff in the photography shop, officers found three videotapes of the 65-year-old sexually ab-using the children.
They were in a carrier bag hidden in a hedge outside his home along with two sex aids.
The videos, which had been produced into a compilation, featured 34 scenes showing Waite having sexual intercourse with the girls.
Mr Dixey said it remained unclear why the films had been edited and copied. A static camera was found on top of a wardrobe in the master bedroom.
Waite had "groomed the girls over a period of time to accept the sexual activity that went on," spending mo-ney on them and buying them clothes, the court heard.
He also showed the younger girl pornographic videos and encouraged her to wear provocative clothing.
Defending, Lawrence Wilcox said Waite, a father of two and a grandfather, had served in the forces for six years and worked as a driver.
Of previous good character, he had also done charity work overseas with the church and the Royal British Legion.
He had attempted suicide on September 1 last year once proceedings against him began.
Sentencing Waite, Judge Stephen O'Malley said: "Your behaviour constituted a grave breach of trust.
"Instead of caring for these young people you involved them in grossly indecent sexual activity over a period of time, the conduct taking place years before it should have normally happened."