CHRISTOPHER BRYANT FROM BLUNSDON SENTENCED TO 19 YEARS FOR SYSTEMATIC ABUSE OF 3-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN SWINDON

In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Christopher Bryant, a 28-year-old man from Lonsdale Close, Blunsdon, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 19 years for the heinous abuse of a young girl. The crimes, which spanned over two years, involved systematic sexual exploitation of a child who was between the ages of three and five at the time of the offenses.

Following his conviction, Bryant will also be subject to an extended period of supervision, with a further three years on licence after his release. A judge ruled that Bryant posed a significant risk of causing serious harm in the future, and therefore, he must serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible to apply for parole. His eventual release will depend on assessments indicating he no longer presents a danger to the public.

Throughout the trial, it was revealed that Bryant showed no remorse for his actions. His grooming process involved showing the young girl explicit hardcore pornography, which he used as a tool to manipulate and prepare her for repeated sexual assaults. The abuse was carried out over a period from December 2011, when the girl was just three years old, until the spring of the following year, when she was five.

One of the most harrowing moments of the case was a video interview played at Swindon Crown Court, where the young girl, now older, demonstrated to a trained police officer how Bryant had abused her. The evidence was compelling and played a significant role in securing his conviction.

Bryant faced multiple charges, including three counts of raping a child under 13, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, and causing a child to watch a sexual act. Despite pleading not guilty to these charges, a jury composed of seven men and five women took less than two hours to find him guilty of all counts. The offenses occurred over a two-and-a-half-year period, beginning in December 2011 and ending in spring last year.

Defense attorney Gareth James argued that his client maintained his innocence, leaving little room for mitigation. However, the court's focus was on the overwhelming evidence presented, which demonstrated a pattern of premeditated and planned abuse. Judge Tim Mousley QC delivered the sentence, emphasizing the severity and brutality of Bryant’s actions.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Mousley described Bryant’s conduct as systematic and driven by deviant sexual attitudes. He highlighted the profound and lasting impact on the young victim and her family, noting that the girl continues to suffer from nightmares, bouts of anger, and violence. Her mother has also been affected, experiencing depression and self-harm as a result of the trauma.

The judge pointed out that Bryant’s continued denial and claims that the allegations were false only underscored his lack of remorse. The court reviewed a report indicating Bryant’s deviant attitudes towards sex and child abuse, reinforcing the gravity of his crimes. The judge expressed hope that, with time, the girl’s life might become easier, but acknowledged the permanent scars left by Bryant’s actions.

Prosecutors have been given an additional week to decide whether to seek a sexual harm prevention order, which would prohibit Bryant from ever having contact with children again. The case has left a lasting mark on the community and underscores the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children from such predatory behavior.