‘This is a life sentence for her. It has caused her severe and enduring damage. She lives with anxiety and flashbacks’
A young girl was left suffering “grotesquely agonising memories” from the “horrific” sex abuse that she had endured – and it had permanently altered the course of her life. Her ordeal had been “very difficult and costly” and she believed that the abuse had stolen her childhood.
She was left suffering flashbacks but the “horror” of reliving her experience at a trial had been averted, Hull Crown Court heard. Brian Christmas, 76, of Main Street, Buckton, north of Bridlington, admitted indecent assault and gross indecency with a child.
Stephen Robinson, prosecuting, said that police investigated after information was given to them about sexual abuse against a girl, including intimate touching by Christmas. He was interviewed in 2023 and he made some admissions.
The girl said in a statement that she had suffered a “lasting impact” from the “horrific abuse” that she had endured. “The psychological damage has been severe and ensuring,” she said.
She suffered flashbacks and speaking about what happened had been “very difficult and costly”. The abuse had “stolen my childhood” and permanently altered the course of her life.
Christopher Dunn, mitigating, said that Christmas gave a very early indication that he would plead guilty. He had given her “grotesquely agonising memories” but she was never at any stage going to have to relive her experience at a trial.
“That horror has been averted,” said Mr Dunn. “Any significant sentence of imprisonment is capable of amounting to a life sentence for him. The weight of shame is also endured by the defendant.”
It was disgraceful conduct of the worst kind but Christmas had shown an element of remorse and regret, as well as an element of prevarication. “It caused him to stick his head in the sand and avoid even thinking about what he did,” said Mr Dunn.
Christmas had previously worked as a motor mechanic and in other jobs before retiring and he had no previous convictions. “That has been sacrificed for all time,” added Mr Dunn. “This defendant is one who is unlikely ever to offend again. Further risk is virtually zero.”
Judge Alexander Menary said of the girl’s ordeal: “This is a life sentence for her. It has caused her severe and enduring damage. She lives with anxiety and flashbacks.”
Christmas, who had been on bail was jailed for five-and-a-half years. He must register as a sex offender for life.