Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Former council leader jailed for indecent assaults
AFORMER Somerset council leader who caused “immeasurable” pain to his victims has been jailed for 11 years.
Richard Pallister, who led South Somerset District Council for seven years, was convicted of 18 charges of indecent assault by a jury at Taunton Crown Court on Thursday.
Sentenced separately for offences against three different complainants, he was given three consecutive sentences of six, one and four years at Taunton Crown Court yesterday.
The court heard he “took advantage of his position” as a man of power and influence to groom and assault his victims.
He was accused by four women of a range of offences, including inappropriate touching and forcibly kissing on the mouth.
The offences, all denied by the defendant, spanned a period of 21 years, with the oldest dating back to the 1980s.
The jury cleared him of 15 charges, including three of indecency with a child, but found him guilty of the majority of counts.
Statements read out before the sentencing detailed the problems his victims had suffered in personal relationships as a result of Mr Pallister’s behaviour, including one complainant claiming they “do not understand why other people’s children would trust me” as a result of the behaviour they had endured from Mr Pallister.
Sentencing him, Recorder Jo Martin QC said: “You are a man who has built his life on being powerful. I have no doubt in part you sought power to do good, but I also have no doubt you have a dark side, a shadow side to your personality.
“You used your power to control women and teenage girls.
“I accept you did not intend to cause harm, but you were thoughtless of the consequences of your actions.
“In your own defence, you have tried to continue to exercise power and control. It was not a straight denial – you tried to manipulate the jury with half-truths and outright lies. Fortunately, you failed.
“Your protestations of remorse are to my ears false. The harm you have inflicted is immeasurable.
“Your act of friendship and bon ami has been consummate in covering your tracks.”
Fifteen concurrent sentences were issued to run alongside the other sentences, ranging from six months to two years.
Pallister will serve no less than half of his sentence before being considered for release.
After the jury’s verdicts, a Liberal Democrat spokesperson said: “The Liberal Democrats oppose sexual assault in all forms and stand by those who bravely come forward to speak out, particularly regarding historic cases of abuse.
“Mr Pallister’s conduct does not reflect the values that our members are expected to uphold. He is not a member of the Liberal Democrats and has not been since these allegations were brought forward in March 2020.
“Our thoughts are with those affected in this case and we hope this verdict will bring them some closure.”
South Somerset District Council also released a statement yesterday.
It said: “We are aware of the verdicts which have been delivered at Taunton Crown Court today and our thoughts are with the survivors of these crimes who suffered due to the actions of Ric Pallister.
“While these appalling acts were committed either before he was elected to South Somerset District Council or were not connected to his role with the authority,
You used your power to control women and teenage girls RECORDER JO MARTIN QC
that does not make them any less serious, and we applaud the bravery of his victims in coming forward to bring them to light.
“Our council has very firm and clear expectations with regards to the conduct of its elected members. As soon as South Somerset District Council became aware of these allegations, we acted swiftly to ensure appropriate safeguarding measures were put in place and, shortly after this, Ric Pallister announced his intention to step down from his role as leader and as a member.”