DAVID BRENNAN'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN LEE AND LONDON: 20-YEAR SENTENCE FOR ABUSE AND RAPE

In a chilling case that has shocked the communities of Lee and London, David Brennan, a 55-year-old man, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of a series of heinous sexual offenses involving young girls. The crimes, which spanned over a decade, included the rape of an eight-year-old girl, acts of sexual abuse against multiple victims, and the disturbing involvement of his own son in the abuse.

David Brennan, residing on Horn Park Lane in Lee, was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of multiple counts of sexual misconduct. His depravity was laid bare during the trial, revealing a pattern of abuse that affected at least five young girls, some as young as seven years old. The court heard that Brennan’s abuse was not only prolonged but also deeply manipulative, with evidence indicating that he exploited the trust of his victims to carry out his perverse acts.

One of the most shocking revelations was that Brennan, on at least two or three occasions, involved his own son—who was then a child himself—in the abuse. According to testimony, Brennan’s son was made to pin one of the young victims to a bed while Brennan raped her. The court described the family as “sexually dysfunctional,” with the young boy being groomed from a very young age. Evidence presented during the trial indicated that the boy had been exposed to graphic material, including explicit images of a young girl, which he sought help for from his mother. Unfortunately, this matter was reportedly “swept under the carpet,” and the boy was left to grapple with the trauma.

Further disturbing details emerged about the environment Brennan created at home. The court learned that he had shown his son explicit videos of his mother engaging in sexual acts with other men. One such video was played to a victim during an incident that coincided with her birthday, adding to the trauma inflicted upon her. The impact of these crimes was poignantly expressed in a victim’s statement, where she said, “What happened in my life has messed me up and I suspect it always will.” She added that, as an adult with two children, she strives to maintain a normal life but acknowledged that the scars of her past abuse will remain with her forever.

Details about Brennan’s personal life also surfaced during the trial. It was revealed that he met his wife when he was 18 and she was just 14. Additionally, he had an earlier “intimate” relationship with a 10-year-old girl at the same age. His arrest was triggered when one of his victims came forward to police years after the abuse had occurred. During the investigation, authorities discovered numerous handwritten notes in Brennan’s possession, titled ‘My Life Story or Confession,’ which detailed his sexual activities with girls under the age of 11. Police also uncovered thousands of indecent images of children stored on computers and hard drives at his home, some of the most serious kind.

Judge Amy Robinson, presiding over the case, delivered a stern sentence on February 14. She stated, “The impact of your offending on these young girls, now young women, will no doubt be lifelong.” She emphasized that Brennan’s method involved gaining the trust of his victims, making them feel valued and special before betraying that trust through sexual abuse. The judge also highlighted the additional aggravating factor of Brennan involving his son in these deviant acts, noting the profound harm caused to the impressionable young boy, who was manipulated and exposed to graphic material from a young age.

As a result, David Brennan was sentenced to 20 years in prison for each of eight counts of rape, with all sentences to run concurrently. He also received additional concurrent sentences ranging from two to ten years for other offenses, including indecent assault and possession of indecent images. His son, now 22 and residing in Eltham Hill, was sentenced to a three-year community order, with the judge noting that he posed a very low risk of reoffending. The court acknowledged that the young man was now employed full-time and in a stable, loving relationship, which contributed to the decision.

Prior to the trial, Brennan had pleaded guilty to seven charges of possessing over 6,000 indecent images of children and nine counts of sexual abuse involving three victims. During the trial, he admitted to three additional charges. The jury found him guilty of eight counts of rape, six counts of indecent assault, one count of indecency with a child, and one count of taking indecent images of a child. His son was convicted of two counts of rape, one count of taking indecent photographs of a child, and one count of indecency with a child.

Authorities have urged anyone affected by these crimes to contact the Metropolitan Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team at 020 7230 3858 for support and further assistance.