BRYAN PHILLIPS SENT TO PRISON FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES IN FOLKESTONE AND IPSWICH

In April 2009, Bryan Phillips, a retired headmaster from Folkestone, Kent, was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of multiple sexual offenses involving a 12-year-old boy during a visit to Ipswich. The court heard that Phillips, aged 72, had committed two separate acts of sexual assault and had incited the young boy to engage in sexual activity in 2006.

Judge Neil McKittrick, presiding over Ipswich Crown Court, emphasized the seriousness of Phillips's actions, stating that he posed a significant risk to children. As part of the sentencing, the judge ordered that upon his release after serving half of his sentence, Phillips would remain on license for an additional four years. Furthermore, the court mandated that Phillips register as a sex offender indefinitely and imposed a sexual offences prevention order to restrict his future interactions with minors.

The court also revealed that Phillips had a troubling history prior to these offenses. In 2003, he had received a police caution for indecency involving an adult male and a separate incident involving a child dating back to the years 1970-1982.

Prosecutor Peter Gair detailed the allegations, stating that during Phillips's visit to Ipswich, he had indecently touched the boy on two occasions and had also persuaded the boy to touch him indecently on another occasion. These offenses came to light in 2007, after which the boy was interviewed by authorities. During the interview, the boy clarified that he had not been threatened by Phillips and that he had not been coerced into the acts.

When questioned, Phillips claimed that the boy had “come on to” him and suggested that the boy had made his intentions clear. Defense lawyer Richard Potts argued that Phillips had been a dedicated educator, having served as a headmaster at a primary school and held various other teaching positions. He also highlighted Phillips's suffering from osteoarthritis, which caused him pain and mobility issues. Mr. Potts emphasized Phillips's contributions to society through his career in education, attempting to present a more sympathetic view of the defendant amidst the serious allegations.