Posted on the 21st January 2026 in PHTM News

DEVON CABBIE JAILED FOR FOUR YEARS AFTER SEXUALLY ABUSING CHILD IN EXCHANGE FOR FARE

A 79-year-old taxi driver who sexually abused a teenage girl in his car after she was unable to pay for a lift has been sentenced to four years in prison.

Terence Round, of St Giles on the Heath, appeared at Truro Crown Court on Monday 19 January, following guilty pleas to engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl who was aged under 16 and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The court heard that the victim had been unable to pay a £30 fare and had offered Round "anything he wanted" in exchange for the journey.

After a series of text messages, Round drove the girl to a secluded location in Cornwall where he locked the vehicle doors.

Prosecutor Heather Hope told the court that Round was aware of the victim's age, having previously texted her that it was a “shame she was not 16.” 

During the ordeal, the victim was “terrified” and “froze,” the court heard. Following the abuse, Round told the girl to get dressed and “act like nothing happened,” reminding her not to tell anyone before completing the journey.

Defending Round, Emily Cook acknowledged the “clearly very serious offending” but argued that the 79-year-old was not a future risk.

She suggested that Round initially interpreted the offer of "anything he wants" to mean “cleaning his car.”

Ms. Cook also highlighted the impact a prison sentence would have on Round’s wife, who is dependent on him, noting that his “career has ended” and he no longer works as a driver.

In his sentencing remarks, His Honour Judge James Adkin noted the breach of trust inherent in the defendant's profession.“You were a taxi driver, you gave her a lift and took her to an isolated spot,” the judge said.

Acknowledging the victim's trauma, he added: “she said she was terrified, she felt she was about to cry.”

While Judge Adkin took Round’s lack of previous convictions and home circumstances into account as mitigating factors, he determined that a custodial sentence was necessary.

In addition to his four-year jail term, Round will remain on the sex offender register for life.


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