'Predatory' ex-social worker Raymond Poyner jailed for abuse

A former social worker described as a 'predatory offender' has been jailed for more than five years for historic indecent assaults against children.

Raymond Poyner, 73, from Weston-super-Mare, groomed and sexually assaulted two boys in the 1970s and 1980s.

The two men, now both in their 50s, said their memories of the abuse will stay with the forever.

"Since my childhood, what Poyner did to me sticks in my mind," said one of the victims.

Avon and Somerset Police said Poyner worked as a residential social worker in the 1970s in Cornwall where he groomed and sexually assaulted a boy in his care at a children's care home.

When informed by police that Poyner had pleaded guilty shortly before a trial was due to begin, the man who was abused broke down in tears. In a victim statement, prepared for the sentencing hearing, he said: "It consumes a lot of my thinking and the way I view my life.

"I still have no trust in anyone, and even after all this time, I find it difficult to form relationships. I just cannot allow anyone to get close to me; I cannot take people into my confidence.

"Now Poyner has been sentenced there is some closure to this episode. Having said that, I don't think I will ever put behind me the thoughts of what Poyner put me through."

After moving from Cornwall to Axbridge in the 1980s, Poyner indecently assaulted a second boy.

The man, who was abused approximately 40 years ago, says the abuse continues to affect his professional and personal lives, despite his wife's love and support.

He said in a victim personal statement released by police: "I have little trust in those in authority, this view is jaded by the fact Poyner was a social worker, a position of authority.

"I have always felt somewhat of an outsider, and found it difficult to form relationships."

He added that what Poyner did will "stay with me for the rest of my life".

Sentencing judge, Recorder Jaron Crooknorth, stated Poyner was a predatory offender who abused a position of trust to groom young boys.

Det Con Mike Tarling, who led the investigation, said: "Raymond Poyner sexually abused two children the best part of 50 years ago but the impact of his crimes continues to be felt by those two men.

"Both have shown incredible strength and courage to report what happened.

"We urge anyone who have been abused to report what happened to us, no matter when it happened," he added.

Poyner pleaded guilty in October to two counts of indecent assault, and in January 2021 admitted a third charge of possession of indecent photos of children and a video.

He was sentenced at North Somerset Courthouse, due to Taunton Crown Court's unavailability, to a total of five years and one month in prison.

Poyner is subject to a lifetime sexual harm prevention order and is barred from ever working with children.

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