Man receives prison sentence for child sexual exploitation

Craig Coney, 37, from Devizes, Wiltshire, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for grooming and sexually exploiting a child over a six-month period. He was found guilty of sexually exploiting a 15-year-old girl on 13 occasions. The sentencing occurred at Salisbury Crown Court on Friday. Coney will also be added to the sex offenders register. Detective Constable Graham Mansell of Wiltshire Police stated: “I hope this case can inspire confidence that victims of child sexual exploitation will be believed, the police will be tenacious in the pursuit of justice.” Police officials commended the victim’s courage, stating she demonstrated “incredible bravery in giving evidence of the most distressing and traumatic incidents of being sexually exploited by a man more than twice her age.” Det Con Mansell further added: “To find the strength to stand up to her abuser is nothing less than awe-inspiring,” and concluded: “I would like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone who may have been a victim of sexual abuse to report it to police.”