Found guilty of sexually abusing a small child over several years, a 63-year-old man, Brian Matthews Bexhill Paedophile, has been imprisoned. Brian Matthews of London Road, Bexhill, received a 19-year prison term for his crimes.
When Brian Matthews started sexually attacking his victim, she was just nine years old. She suffered maltreatment up into her late teens.
Brian Matthews tried to normalise his behaviour and control the victim’s actions, therefore subjecting the girl to both “emotional and psychological abuse” in addition to the sexual assault including several charges of rape. His violent acts persisted for many years.
Police started looking after learning about the crimes at last. Officers gave the victim specialised assistance while Brian Matthews was detained and charged with the following offences:
Brian Matthews received his 19-year jail term plus one year on extended licence on 28 April at Lewes Crown Court. He has been added to the lifetime sex offender register.
Brian Matthews also received a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), prohibiting any contact with the victim or any child under the age of eighteen without permission of a parent or guardian, or if incidental and not reasonably avoidable. Unless access is given for examination by a police officer or police employee, he is not allowed to own any gadget that might be able to save or access digital photos.
Detective Liz Brunt said: “Brian Matthews’s depraved, horrific abuse robbed his young victim of her childhood, and she will have to live with the effects for the rest of her life.” I want to congratulate her for the fantastic bravery she has shown, not just in first reporting these crimes but also in supporting our inquiry and assisting in the incarceration of a dangerous predator.
“This just would not have been feasible without her bravery and tenacity. With any luck, this sentence will give her some solace and prohibit Matthews from hurting further young people.
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