Description
A 79-year-old taxi driver has been jailed for sexually abusing a child in his car after offering her a free lift when she couldn't pay the £30 fare.
Terence Round pleaded guilty to engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl under 16 and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. He was sentenced to four years in prison at Truro Crown Court and will remain on the sex offender register for life.
The incident occurred three years ago. Prosecutor Heather Hope said Round had previously texted the victim asking her age, given her lifts, and told her it was a shame she wasn't 16. On the day of the offense, the teen offered "anything he wanted" for a free ride. Round drove her to an isolated spot in Cornwall and locked the doors.
The victim felt "terrified," "froze," and as though she would cry, Ms. Hope said. After the assault, Round drove her to her destination and told her not to tell anyone.
Defense lawyer Emily Cook described it as "clearly very serious offending" but noted "rather odd and unusual circumstances" led to it. She said Round initially thought "anything he wants" meant cleaning his car, adding he is "not a risk - he has never offended before," hasn't offended again, and "no longer works as a taxi driver - his career has ended."
Sentencing Round, Judge James Adkin said: "You were a taxi driver, you gave her a lift and took her to an isolated spot." He noted the victim "said she was terrified, she felt she was about to cry." After, "you told her to get dressed and act like nothing happened," and reminded her not to tell anyone. The judge cited Round's personal circumstances and lack of previous convictions as mitigating factors.