A ‘PREDATORY’ former Waverley Borough Council executive member and mayor of Godalming has been jailed for nine years after pleading guilty to a number of sexual offences against a child and taking indecent images.

Bordon man Simon Thornton, who also owned a butcher’s shop on Godalming High Street and served as Waverley’s executive member for leisure, culture, parks and countryside from 2014 to 2016, was sentenced following a hearing at Guildford Crown Court on Monday.

The 46-year-old’s offences took place before he was elected to Waverley from 2006 until 2009 and all related to one victim, a 13 year old girl. They were reported to officers in October last year, at which point he was arrested. Thornton resigned from his council positions on the council a few days later.

Investigating officer PC Tamzin Ede said: “Simon Thornton displayed predatory behaviour to abuse a child for a prolonged period. He clearly believed he would get away with this offending given how long it carried on and has now rightly been jailed for his abhorrent crimes.

“Simon Thornton’s crimes have impacted the victim through her childhood and into adult life, the offending against her have caused low confidence, depression and difficulties in building new trusted relationships. The victim in this case has shown real courage in reporting and supporting the police investigation.”

Thornton, who stepped down as mayor last October as well as relinquishing his roles as a Godalming and Waverley councillor citing personal reasons, pleaded guilty to 13 charges of sexual activity with a child over 13, as well as nine charges of taking indecent images.

PC Ede continued: “This case is one of many that we investigate in the Sexual Offences Investigation Team where we have highly trained and specialist officers who everyday support victims of sexual offences and investigate offences.

“I hope that today’s sentencing encourages victims of sexual offences, whether recent or in the past to come forward and report offences.”

Julia Potts, leader of Waverley Borough Council, said her thoughts were with the victim, and confirmed that none of the crimes were committed during his time as a councillor.

* If you have been the victim of a sexual offence or know someone who has, report it to Surrey Police immediately via 101 (or 999 if it is an emergency).

Support and advice is also available from the NSPCC via nspcc.org.uk or its helpline on 0808 800 5000. Anyone concerned about their own behaviour, can call the ‘Stop It Now’ anonymous helpline on 0808 1000 900.