BRIAN BARNES OF UPPERBY SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN CARLISLE

In a case that has shocked the local community of Carlisle, Brian Barnes, a 54-year-old man residing on Buchanan Road in the Upperby area, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of eight years for a series of serious sexual offenses. The crimes, which spanned from January 1998 to January 2000, involved the sexual abuse of a young girl and a boy, both of whom are protected by law from identification.

During the sentencing at Carlisle Crown Court, Judge Paul Batty QC described the offences as particularly grave, emphasizing the severity and the impact on the victims. The judge expressed clear disapproval of Barnes’s attitude, stating, “It is plain to me, having watched you during your trial and today, that you have not shown one ounce of remorse. You forced your victims to relive the experience of the sexual abuse that you meted out to them over a period of time.”

Barnes, who was visibly affected during the proceedings, stumbled as he was led into the dock. Despite earlier convictions, he maintained his innocence, with his barrister, Greg Hoare, asserting that Barnes believed the convictions to be wrongful. Mr. Hoare also highlighted Barnes’s personal struggles, mentioning that he considers himself a loner and that he had not received support from his family after the allegations surfaced last year. The lawyer further revealed that Barnes has been subjected to threats while in prison, adding to the complexity of his situation.

During the court session, Barnes attempted to speak but was promptly told to remain silent by the judge. The court found him guilty of multiple charges, including two counts of indecent assault on the girl, three counts of indecent assault on the boy, three counts of gross indecency with the boy, and one count of committing a serious sex act on the boy. The identities of the victims remain confidential, protected by law to prevent further trauma or identification.

As part of his sentence, Barnes has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and is explicitly banned from working with children in any capacity. The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and the judiciary to address and punish sexual offenses, especially those involving vulnerable minors in the Carlisle area.