A former teaching assistant from Swindon has been sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court today - 21 June - after being found guilty of the rape of a minor.
Sam Powers, 28, had earlier pleaded guilty to an additional 44 counts of sexual offences against children.
He was given a 20-year custodial sentence, four years of which will be served on licence.
In addition, Powers was placed on the Sex Offenders Register and issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for a minimum of 25 years.
Detective Sergeant Zoe Purnell said: “I would like to pay tribute to the numerous survivors who bravely came forward to give evidence which has led to the conviction of Powers.
“This case has been brought as the result of a wide-ranging, complex and challenging investigation in which it became clear that Powers is a predatory paedophile who sought opportunities to work closely with young people, to groom and abuse them in order to satisfy his own selfish desires.
“He now faces a lengthy jail term which I hope brings survivors of this abuse some form of closure.
“I hope this sentence will encourage other survivors of abuse to report it - we are here to help you, you will be listened to, and we have trained officers who work closely with partner organisations to support you in any way we can.”
Useful information and links to organisations providing support to victims of sexual abuse can be found on the Wiltshire Police website: Support for victims of rape and sexual assault | Wiltshire Police
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