A former government road safety officer was jailed for five years today for sexual offences involving an underage boy.

David Minors admitted sexual exploitation of a young person by a person in a position of trust, and two counts of showing offensive material to a child.

He was branded “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” by the prosecution.

Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves sentenced him at Supreme Court today to five years for the sexual exploitation charge, and 18 months and 21 months for the offensive material charges.

Minors received a discount in his sentence for an early admission of guilt.

Mr Justice Greaves said the sentences would run currently and time in custody would be taken into account.

Minors will also be added to the sexual offenders list.

Addressing Minors directly, Mr Justice Greaves said: “It confuses the minds of ordinary citizens — how could it be that people like you could betray us so?”

He told Minors he had been “a man of the church who professes your faith not only to your congregation but to the community”.

“Good people, or people with good images, are the people who are exploiters,” he added. “That is why it is so hard for us to trust.”

In the aftermath, Chief Inspector Arthur Glasford of the Bermuda Police Service said the sentencing “represents a win for victims of sexual assault everywhere”.

He added: “The impact of these actions on vulnerable people in our community can only be regarded as callous and reprehensible.

“People who abuse their position of trust to prey on vulnerable members of our society should take note that the police and criminal justice system are here to help, and we will work to obtain justice, as has been done in this case.

“In a small community, it can be challenging for victims to feel supported enough that they will come forward and report a sexual assault to the Police but the BPS has demonstrated that members of our community can speak up, will be listened to and we will get justice for you.

“Whilst we will not comment on the specifics of the case, we take comfort in recognising that the criminal justice system has worked for someone who was abused by someone in a position of significant trust, and the courts sentence reflects how dimly these actions are viewed.

“We hope that this will spur other persons who may have fallen pray to similar conduct to come forward and speak up against their abusers. We are here and the Bermuda Police Service is ready to listen.”

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