Man appears in court over child sex inquiry

By Emma Hallet

Saturday 19 February 2011

Print
A A A
Related articles
Suggested Topics

A 19-year-old man has appeared in court charged in connection with an investigation into child sexual exploitation and abuse in Devon. Jake Ormerod, who was arrested on Thursday, faced two charges at Exeter Crown Court.

Mr Ormerod, of Torquay, is accused of offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 of engaging, or inciting a girl to engage in, sexual activity. The case was committed to the same court for a plea and directions hearing on 27 May. An application for bail was being heard in private.

Police said on Thursday their inquiry may involve 20 or more victims, mainly girls aged 12 and above in Torbay and Teignbridge in Devon. They have written to thousands of parents with children at secondary schools in the area to inform them of the investigation.

Speaking outside court Mr Omerod's mother, Janet Hoddy, 52, said: "There's no way my son could do any harm. He wouldn't take advantage of a young girl."

Top stories
A woman carries her child through a field near the collapsed Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Oklahoma

Oklahoma tornado: At least 91 dead - and children trapped in wreckage

The Government says the amendment could set back gay marriage by 18 months

PM offers review of civil partnerships as gay marriage Bill clears major hurdle

News in pictures
World news in pictures
UK news in pictures
UK news in pictures
More stories
Ian McIntosh is determined to solve the mystery of the ancient coins

X marks the spot: The find that could rewrite Australian history

The bidding war between publishers for Gill Hornbys new novel, 'The Hive' was reportedly vicious

School-gate mums: 2013's Fifty Shades

Virtually Stephen Fry 'lets Stephen broadcast himself directly to your pocket, keeping you up to date with the goings-on of the actual Stephen Fry'

Virtually Stephen Fry

       
Independent
Travel Shop
India and Shimla
 14 nights from only £1899pp Find out more
Prague city break
 Three nights from £199pp Find out more
4* Soreda hotel break, Malta
 Seven nights all-inclusive from £399pp Find out more
SPONSORED FEATURES

Get your summer started with British Military Fitness

BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes

Visit York Prizes & offers Business videos

Visit York

Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world

Military Fitness Prizes & offers Business videos

Enter the latest Independent competitions

Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.

Military Fitness Visit York Business videos

Business videos from commercial thought leaders

Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.

Military Fitness Visit York Prizes & offers
Independent Dating
and  

By clicking 'Search' you
are agreeing to our
Terms of Use.

iJobs Job Widget
iJobs General

SAP PP

£45000 - £60000 per annum: Progressive Recruitment: SAP PP functional consulta...

SAP SD Consultant

£475 - £476 per day + negotiable: Progressive Recruitment: SAP SD Contract Con...

Maths Teacher- Reading

Negotiable: Randstad Education Reading: Our client in Sonning Common, is looki...

Science Teacher- Reading

Negotiable: Randstad Education Reading: Our client in Sonning Common, is looki...

View the latest from iJobs

Day In a Page

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

Masculinity in crisis?

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell
'He will always be a friend': Jackie Stewart backs Polanski

'He will always be a friend'

Jackie Stewart backs Roman Polanski
The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
The experts' guide to summer: From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz

The experts' guide to summer

From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz
Sex, drugs and fast cars: The legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Early glimpses of Ron Howard's film Rush suggest it will portray Hunt as a high-living lothario, with an insatiable appetite for partying.
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation when using drugs and alcohol. It was hurting my life'

Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'

The next Vanilla Ice or the next Eminem? Macklemore doesn't have a record contract – but he does have the UK's biggest-selling single of the year.
Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Sri Lankan cuisine is light, sunny, wonderfully spiced – and so easy to cook from scratch. Just as soon as you've broken into the coconut, that is.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in