Locations
Wells Road, Totterdown, Bristol
Description
A Totterdown pensioner convicted of historical rapes of a child is likely to die in jail. Brian David, 78, of Wells Road, described allegations that he sexually abused a girl as "a load of bloody nonsense", Bristol Crown Court heard.
But a jury convicted the former RAF man of a plethora of sexual assaults on the girl when she was aged eight to 17. David was convicted of eight counts of indecent assault, three counts of rape and two counts of buggery.
The Recorder Mr James Bromige, sitting via video link, jailed him for 20 years. He told David: "You are not in good health, you have a diminished life expectancy and the prospect is you will die in prison."
David was told to register his whereabouts to police indefinitely. He was handed an indefinite restraining order banning him from both direct and indirect contact with the complainant.
Speaking behind a screen, the complainant said the abuse left her with anxiety and depression for which she has had counselling and therapy. She said she had been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder.
She told the court: "I smell his cigarette smoke every day. I don't feel like getting up, I don't eat properly, I don't sleep properly.
"He knows he is guilty. I want him to remember every day what he did to me. He ruined my life."
Nikke Coombe, prosecuting, said David forced the child to commit sex acts on him and he forced himself on her on multiple occasions. The court heard she was a vulnerable youngster who felt unable, at the time, to report him to her loved ones.
Virginia Cornwall, defending, urged the judge to impose a determinate sentence. She told the court: "There is no issue of dangerousness. The risk of further offending is minimal.
"Aged 78 he's unlikely to be released from this sentence. I ask for as short a sentence as meets your honour's public duty in the circumstances."