COLIN BUNYAN'S HORRIFIC CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN BRIDLINGTON AND FILEY LEAD TO REDUCED SENTENCE

In a recent development within the criminal justice system, Colin Brian Bunyan, a man with a disturbing history of child sex offenses, has seen his prison sentence reduced on appeal. Originally sentenced to 12 years in December 2007 for a series of heinous crimes committed in Bridlington and Filey, Bunyan’s punishment was later cut to nine years by Mr. Justice Silber, who emphasized the importance of maintaining an 'appropriate sentence' that reflects the totality of the offenses.

Despite the reduction, the court acknowledged the severity of Bunyan’s crimes and the concerns raised by his victims. The judge pointed out that if all of Bunyan’s offenses had been considered collectively at the outset, the overall sentence might have been shorter. This decision came amidst ongoing debates about the adequacy of sentencing for such grave offenses.

Back in December 2007, Bunyan, aged 61 at the time, was convicted at Hull Crown Court after admitting to six counts of indecent assault and one count of buggery involving two boys under the age of 16. The crimes spanned an 11-year period during which Bunyan resided in Bridlington and Filey, having previously lived in London where he had also committed offenses against five other victims.

One of Bunyan’s victims, speaking publicly after the sentencing, described his attacker as 'worse than an animal.' The victim expressed a deep sense of anger and betrayal, stating, 'I hope he rots in prison. He has shown no remorse – I saw him today and he made me feel sick, I could not look at him.' The victim also lamented the loss of the death penalty, saying, 'They should hang him, we should never have got rid of the death penalty.' He further added that Bunyan’s behavior was so repulsive that he believed Bunyan should never be released, citing the ongoing suffering and lasting psychological impact, including medication and a changed character.

Details of Bunyan’s criminal history reveal a pattern of predatory behavior. He moved from London to Filey in 1982, where he began abusing a young boy, threatening him with his mother’s safety if he ever disclosed the abuse. The assaults reportedly occurred almost daily. Later, Bunyan relocated to Windsor Crescent in Bridlington, where the abuse continued unabated.

During sentencing, Judge Roger Thorne, QC, described Bunyan’s actions as 'appalling' and highlighted his lack of remorse. The judge characterized him as a 'serial and prolific paedophile offender,' emphasizing the profound harm inflicted on his victims, who suffered significant emotional and psychological trauma, effectively robbed of their childhoods.

Historical records show that Bunyan’s offending began in London in 1975, when he was working as a carer in a boys’ home. During this period, he committed nine indecent assaults and four acts of buggery on boys aged 13 to 15. These offenses contributed to an existing eight-year prison sentence he was serving since 2002, related to his earlier crimes.

Defense lawyer Paul Genney acknowledged Bunyan’s remorse, stating, 'He says there is nothing he can do to make good the harm he has done except to plead guilty.' He also noted Bunyan’s current circumstances, including being housed on a special wing where he faces daily abuse, and his age, which complicates his rehabilitation prospects.

As part of his sentence, Bunyan was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was prohibited from working with children. The police, represented by DC Helen Penney of Humberside Police, praised the victims’ bravery and the court’s decision, emphasizing that the crimes covered only a fraction of Bunyan’s decade-long offending history. Detective Inspector Nigel Sawyer also expressed satisfaction with the sentence, underscoring the importance of justice for the victims and the message it sends about the seriousness of such crimes.