BEXLEY MAN ANTHONY BRYANT, 88, FOUND GUILTY OF HISTORIC CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
A jury determined that Anthony Bryant, a man from Bexley now aged 88, committed acts of sexual abuse against a child during his 30s.The victim, who reported the incidents to authorities in 2023, described Bryant as a predatory sexual offender.
Court proceedings at the Old Bailey revealed that Bryant forced the child to touch him sexually and also masturbated in front of the young victim.
The individual affected recalled, 'The impact of the sexual abuse [my sibling] and I experienced from Anthony Bryant when we were very young has been profound and devastating.
Both of us have had to deal with symptoms of PTSD.' Because Bryant was deemed not mentally capable to stand trial due to dementia, he received an absolute discharge.
The court recognized that this outcome was unsatisfactory but stated it was the only appropriate course of action.
Bryant had three prior convictions related to similar matters, although details were not disclosed.
The decision came after a two-day trial in which Bryant did not respond to police questioning, choosing instead to answer 'no comment.'
