A former Sea Cadet volunteer who sexually abused children has been jailed for 22 years.
Phillip Grove was found guilty of 15 charges linked to sexual assaults in the 1990s – including rapes – while living in Somerset.
In December a jury convicted Grove of two counts of rape, 10 counts of indecency with a child and three counts of indecent assault.
Grove, 70, was jailed at Taunton Crown Court on Friday, 23 February.
A trial at North Somerset Courthouse heard how Grove, from Sheffield, raped one of the victims, sexually assaulted another and was indecent in front of two other victims in the 1990s while in the volunteer position of chief petty officer at a Sea Cadet group.
‘Sick, sick man’
In a statement read out in court, one of the victims said they had lived in “constant shame” for 30 years.
They said: “The whole of my adult life has been overcast in shadow, which I have never been able to shake off… A part of me, who I am, was taken away from me by Phillip Grove.
“My days are plagued by the memories of what happened and the nights I manage to get sleep, I am haunted by nightmares of both the incidents and Phillip himself.”
Avon and Somerset Police said that in September 2020, one of the victims reported what had happened to her and the other children to police and an investigation into Grove was launched.
In a letter to the judge, another victim said she felt “worthless” and described Grove as a “sick, sick man”.
The incidents Grove was convicted of happened over a span of six years, police said.
‘Dishonest and callous’
Grove was arrested in March 2021 and on Friday, 8 December last year, was unanimously found guilty for 15 of the 16 charges against him.
Presiding Judge Cullum referred to Grove as a “dangerous” paedophile.
Judge Cullum said: “You are a self-centred, dishonest and callous individual who has shown no remorse.”
Investigating officer Det Con Becky Norton said: “All four victims have been incredibly brave throughout the process and have exhibited exceptional courage.
“Without them, we would not have been able to put an incredibly dangerous man in prison and seek the justice they so rightly deserve.”
‘Exceptional courage’
Det Con Norton added the Sea Cadets were “very supportive” of the investigation and had conducted an internal investigation to help gather information for the police.
Grove was jailed for 22 years, one year of which will be spent on extended licence.
The judge also granted a life-long Sexual Harm Prevention Order and instructed Grove to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
He was also barred from working with children.
If you have suffered abuse or would like to discuss experiences, please contact out specialist child abuse solicitor, Charles Derham on the following: