BRYAN GIBBS FROM STAVERTON SENTENCED AFTER BEACH OVERDOSE IN PLYMOUTH
| Red Rose Database
Staverton Child Sexual Abuser
In August 2021, a distressing incident unfolded involving Bryan Gibbs, a man from Staverton near Totnes, who found himself at the center of a tragic and serious criminal case. Gibbs, aged 55, was convicted of serious sexual offenses committed in 1994, specifically two counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14. The case had been brought to court in April, where a jury found him guilty despite his initial denial of the charges. The court proceedings revealed that Gibbs had no prior criminal record, which added a layer of complexity to his sentencing.
On the day of his sentencing at Plymouth Crown Court, a dramatic and alarming event occurred. Gibbs was scheduled to be sentenced, but instead of facing the court, he was found on a beach near Madeira Road on the Hoe, having taken an overdose of medication. The incident drew immediate attention from emergency services, including police officers, paramedics, coastguards, and firefighters, all of whom responded swiftly to the scene to rescue him from the foreshore.
Gibbs was discovered in a critical condition, and his situation was dire enough that he was transported to Derriford Hospital for urgent medical treatment. Fortunately, he survived the overdose and was later discharged from the hospital. During this period, his legal representatives, including his barrister Ali Rafati, informed the court that Gibbs was in a fragile state, and that their professional relationship had broken down, preventing them from continuing to represent him.
Prior to the incident, Gibbs had been released on bail on June 28, awaiting sentencing. However, he had written a letter indicating his intention to take his own life, which raised serious concerns. The court was made aware that Gibbs had expressed suicidal thoughts, and his actions on the beach confirmed his mental distress at that time.
At the sentencing hearing, Gibbs was given the opportunity to speak in mitigation from the dock, but due to technical issues, his words could not be heard clearly over the videolink, as he was not near a microphone. Judge Robert Linford, after reviewing a probation report, sentenced Gibbs to four years in prison. The judge emphasized the devastating impact of Gibbs's crimes on his victim, who had endured years of suffering before finally reporting the assaults in 2017. The victim's personal statement detailed the loss of confidence, flashbacks, and lifelong trauma caused by Gibbs’s actions.
Furthermore, Judge Linford clarified that Gibbs would not be automatically released at the halfway point of his sentence. Instead, his release would require approval from the parole board, and he would spend an additional 12 months on licence following his prison term. This case underscores the serious consequences of sexual offenses and highlights the importance of justice for victims, as well as the ongoing mental health challenges faced by offenders.
On the day of his sentencing at Plymouth Crown Court, a dramatic and alarming event occurred. Gibbs was scheduled to be sentenced, but instead of facing the court, he was found on a beach near Madeira Road on the Hoe, having taken an overdose of medication. The incident drew immediate attention from emergency services, including police officers, paramedics, coastguards, and firefighters, all of whom responded swiftly to the scene to rescue him from the foreshore.
Gibbs was discovered in a critical condition, and his situation was dire enough that he was transported to Derriford Hospital for urgent medical treatment. Fortunately, he survived the overdose and was later discharged from the hospital. During this period, his legal representatives, including his barrister Ali Rafati, informed the court that Gibbs was in a fragile state, and that their professional relationship had broken down, preventing them from continuing to represent him.
Prior to the incident, Gibbs had been released on bail on June 28, awaiting sentencing. However, he had written a letter indicating his intention to take his own life, which raised serious concerns. The court was made aware that Gibbs had expressed suicidal thoughts, and his actions on the beach confirmed his mental distress at that time.
At the sentencing hearing, Gibbs was given the opportunity to speak in mitigation from the dock, but due to technical issues, his words could not be heard clearly over the videolink, as he was not near a microphone. Judge Robert Linford, after reviewing a probation report, sentenced Gibbs to four years in prison. The judge emphasized the devastating impact of Gibbs's crimes on his victim, who had endured years of suffering before finally reporting the assaults in 2017. The victim's personal statement detailed the loss of confidence, flashbacks, and lifelong trauma caused by Gibbs’s actions.
Furthermore, Judge Linford clarified that Gibbs would not be automatically released at the halfway point of his sentence. Instead, his release would require approval from the parole board, and he would spend an additional 12 months on licence following his prison term. This case underscores the serious consequences of sexual offenses and highlights the importance of justice for victims, as well as the ongoing mental health challenges faced by offenders.