COLIN BROOKS, BRIXXHAM PAEDOPHILE EX-TEACHER, SENTENCED FOR DECADES-OLD ABUSE IN SURREY

In a significant development in long-standing child abuse cases, Colin Brooks, a man previously residing in Brixham, has been sentenced to prison after being convicted of sexually abusing a young girl over a period of three years during the 1980s. The abuse, which spanned multiple incidents, was only brought to justice more than three decades later, highlighting the enduring challenges of addressing historical sexual offenses.

Brooks, now aged 77, had a career in education, serving as a teacher and headmaster at various schools across the South East of England. During the 1980s, he held the position of head teacher at The Grove School in Hindhead, a school now known as The Royal School. His move to Brixham in Devon occurred after his career in education, but his past actions have now come to light through a court process that culminated in his sentencing.

The sentencing hearing took place on Monday, May 17, at Guildford Crown Court, where the court heard harrowing details of the abuse that began when the victim was a teenager. The first incident reportedly occurred during a car journey, where Brooks engaged in inappropriate behavior. Prosecutor Adrian Fleming described the incident, stating, "[Brooks] put his hand on hers to keep it on his leg. He then moved her hand up to near his groin. She became aware that he had an erection."

Fleming further explained that Brooks pulled the car over, unzipped his flies, and placed her hand on his private parts before continuing the journey. It was only near the end of the trip that he removed her hand, and he told her, "this is our secret, don’t tell anyone." The court was told that Brooks used more serious threats to silence the victim, warning her that if she disclosed the abuse to her mother, she would be sent away or placed into the care system.

Over the subsequent three years, the abuse persisted, with Brooks engaging in acts such as kissing her, feeling her breasts, and forcing her to perform oral sex and other sexual acts. The court heard that Brooks visited her home and entered her bedroom under the guise of saying goodnight. During these visits, he allegedly showed her how to give him pleasure, further traumatizing the young girl.

The victim, who attended the court for the sentencing, delivered an emotional statement recounting the profound impact of the abuse on her life. She described the initial incident as a moment that "shook me to the core, but effectively ended my childhood." She explained that although she grew up quickly and learned to lie effectively, the trauma left lasting scars. "It meant I grew up far more quickly than I should have done and I also learned to be an efficient liar," she said.

After the abuse ceased, she struggled to cope but hoped to move on. However, her past was inadvertently uncovered when a former partner made allegations implicating the wrong man, leading her to disclose the abuse to police in 2018. She completed a video interview on November 14, 2018, which ultimately led to Brooks’s arrest. He was interviewed by police on January 4, 2019, during which he denied all allegations, claiming they were "fabrications of the worst kind."

Brooks was subsequently interviewed again on November 28, 2019, and continued to deny the accusations. Despite his denials, he later pleaded guilty to all seven counts of indecent assault. The court sentenced him to 28 months in prison, marking a significant moment of justice for the victim and a reminder of the importance of addressing historical abuse cases, regardless of the passage of time.