Investigating officer commended as Bristol paedophile jailed
Thomas Rawlings made his victims believe he was up to 20 years younger than he actually was
A Bristol man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of sex offences against children.
Thomas Rawlings from Lockleaze, who's 35 and was already a registered sex offender - admitted 33 charges relating to nine kids between 2017 and 2020.
The charges included counts of causing or inciting a girl aged 13–15 to engage in sexual activity; taking, making and possession of indecent images of children; paying for the sexual services of a child aged 16–17; engaging in sexual communication with a child and breach of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).
In a statement Avon and Somerset Police say Rawlings groomed and exploited his vulnerable victims, lying to them about his age, making out he was up to 20 years younger than he really was and leading them to believe that they were in genuine relationships with him.
During the sentencing Judge Patrick said Rawlings had led some of his victims to feel suicidal.
“You scared your child victims and caused them emotional torment," he said.
"You ripped families apart.
"You have worsened the lives of the vulnerable.
"You have ruined trust."
Rawlings was first charged with sex offences nine years ago in 2012, on 15 counts of making indecent images of children.
On conviction in 2012 he was made the subject of a Sexual Offences Protection Order, meaning the police had the power to examine his devices and could ensure if he accessed the internet, he did not delete his search history.
In November 2020 Rawlings was arrested on suspicion of causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of girls in connection with his relationship with four girls aged 14–16.
That followed a referral to Avon and Somerset Police from the National Crime Agency.
After Rawlings' arrest, a 17-year-old victim contacted the police saying she was concerned for the welfare of her "boyfriend", meaning Rawlings.
She believed he was 20 years old at the time. She said he had first made contact with her when she was 13, at which point Rawlings claimed he was just 14.
At first the contact was online, but this later progressed to physical meetings, with Rawlings travelling to various parts of the country and booking hotels for them to meet in, where Rawlings groomed and exploited her into a sexual relationship with him.
Unknown to the victim, Rawlings was also in a ‘relationship’ with another child who was 14 when he first made contact with her and who believed him to be 18 years old.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Adam Knee from the Internet Child Abuse Team called Rawlings a "calculated and determined offender".
"The victims have shown incredible bravery and resilience throughout this investigation and have been a credit to themselves and their families," he said.
"Thankfully we have been able to support them throughout and will continue to do so through our partners if required.
“I would also like to praise the efforts of the Investigating officer Martin Parsons, supported by PC Mel Furey and DS Helen Holt and many others.
"The evidence they gathered against Rawlings was so overwhelming that his guilty plea was through lack of choice rather than remorse.
"The sentence passed down today reflects the gravity of the offences committed by him.”
Officer in the case (OIC) Martin Parsons was given a Crown Court Commendation by the judge in recognition of the vast amount of work that has gone into identifying Rawlings’s victims.
Judge Patrick said: “A dangerous paedophile has been quickly identified, arrested, charged and sentenced.
"The amount of work that Martin Parsons has undertaken is obvious.
"It is easy to forget the distressing nature of the things with which he has had to deal.
"He is to be commended for what he has achieved.”
As well as the 12 year sentence Rawlings is set to serve in prison he will remain on licence for a further 10 years, meaning he will be under supervision and face various conditions, which if breached could see him return to jail.