BRIAN HANNA FROM CHIPPEHAM AND PLYMOUTH JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF VULNERABLE TEENAGER

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Chippenham and Plymouth, karate instructor Brian Hanna, aged 47, was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl with a significantly reduced mental capacity. The incident took place during a martial arts lesson on a Corsham industrial estate, where Hanna worked as a full-time handyman. The abuse reportedly occurred in a dark icehouse located on the industrial estate, a place that Hanna and the victim both knew well.

Hanna's personal living arrangements involve splitting his time between his mother’s residence in Plymouth during weekends and his wife’s home in Chippenham during the week. His dual residence underscores his ties to both communities, making the case even more notable locally.

The prosecution, led by Alan Fuller, presented compelling evidence at Gloucester Crown Court, revealing that the victim, who had the mental age of a seven-year-old, disclosed the abuse during a school sex education lesson. The girl, in a moment of honesty, admitted that Hanna had touched her during karate lessons and had taken photographs of her intimate areas. She further recounted an incident where Hanna asked her to kiss him intimately, describing the act as disgusting and comparing it to Pinocchio’s nose, which is famously elongated.

Additionally, the girl described being taken to a cave-like space, which was identified as the icehouse on the industrial estate, where some of the abuse took place. The court heard that Hanna’s actions were not isolated, and the girl’s account painted a disturbing picture of ongoing misconduct.

During the trial, Hanna, with grey hair, attempted to defend his actions, claiming that he had touched the girl but insisted there was no sexual intent. He explained to the jury that he had been teaching her martial arts techniques such as punching and blocking when the incident occurred. Hanna stated, “I threw a punch at her stomach and she wasn’t quick enough to block it and my hand rested on her top, but only for a second.”

Hanna also alleged that the girl had been making advances towards him, suggesting that her behavior was provocative. Despite his defense, Judge Martin Picton convicted Hanna of the sexual touching of the girl, emphasizing the severity of the breach of trust involved.

Marcus Davey, representing Hanna, argued that there was no evidence to suggest the girl suffered psychological harm from the incidents. He expressed concern that Hanna’s imprisonment would have a devastating impact on his life, noting that he had no prior criminal record and that his marriage was now effectively over.

However, Judge Picton was unequivocal in his judgment, describing the offense as a “gross breach of trust” and highlighting the vulnerability of the victim, who had a mental age of just seven years. The judge condemned Hanna’s actions as “truly awful,” stating that such conduct warranted a lengthy custodial sentence. In addition to the prison term, Hanna was ordered to register as a sex offender, underscoring the seriousness of his crimes and the community’s need for protection against such offenders.