Dale Purchase 29

Description

A man who attempted to incite a teenager into a sexual act when she was a passenger in his taxi has been given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Dale Purchase, aged 29, of Townshend Avenue in Plymouth, appeared before Plymouth Magistrates Court on Monday 4 December after being found guilty of Harassment on Friday, November 3.

The offences took place on January 12, 2023, where, across two separate taxi journeys, Purchase repeatedly made inappropriate and sexualized comments towards the teenager by asking her to touch his genitals and making sexual advances toward her.

Purchase was given an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, and received a restraining order banning him on contacting the victim.

Sergeant Tom Ottley said: We take the fear of violence against women and girls very seriously and work tirelessly to ensure we are bringing people to justice while safeguarding victims.

Despite this case not being a typical incident of harassment, the importance of women and girls feeling safe in our society cannot, and should not, be understated.

I would like to commend the victim for her engagement with our officers, who have been tenacious in their pursuit of justice.

The Sexual Harm Protection Order comes with a number of stringent prohibitions, which are aimed to prevent further offending and protect vulnerable people from harm. This is further proof that Devon & Cornwall Police will use all available measures to safeguard our communities and protect the vulnerable.