DONALD LEAR'S HORRIFIC ABUSE IN BRENTRY, BRISTOL: A CHILDHOOD DESTROYED

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Brentry, Bristol, Donald Lear, an 80-year-old man, was convicted of a series of heinous crimes committed against his own children over three decades ago. The disturbing revelations emerged during a court hearing at Bristol Crown Court, where Lear was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his appalling actions, which included multiple counts of sexual abuse and rape.

Lear's victims, his two daughters Virginia and Kerstin, along with his son Vincent, endured years of suffering at the hands of their father. The abuse, which spanned over 35 years, was only brought to light after Vincent, now 52, finally broke his silence and reported the crimes to the police. His decision to speak out marked a turning point in the case, leading to Lear's conviction and sentencing.

The court heard that Lear's crimes were particularly egregious, with Judge Michael Roach describing the offences as 'dreadful.' During the sentencing, the judge emphasized the profound and lasting impact of Lear's actions on his victims, stating, 'The offences were dreadful and I have no doubt from what I’ve seen and heard that the offences in respect of each of these children, now adults, have blighted their lives substantially. That fact has to be very much borne in mind when considering the right sentence so far as you are concerned.'

Vincent, who resides in Brentry, Bristol, was visibly emotional as the verdict was announced. Outside the court, he expressed relief and a sense of justice, joyfully repeating, 'I did it, I did it,' while embracing his siblings and family members. His sister Kerstin, a mother of five, shared her feelings of relief, stating, 'I do believe the sentence gave us justice. We can never replace our childhoods but we feel the justice system has worked.' She also highlighted the positive outcome of the case in reuniting her with her brother Vincent, who had been estranged for more than 20 years.

The court also heard about Lear's personal circumstances. His defense attorney, Brendon Moorhouse, pointed out that Lear was the oldest person ever to be remanded at Gloucester Prison and was suffering from serious health issues, including multiple heart attacks. Moorhouse described Lear as a man of 'good character,' whose offending behavior was a thing of the past, and urged the court to consider his poor health in the sentencing.

Lear, a former dance teacher who had left his wife for another woman, maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. He claimed that the allegations were fabricated and that the victims had conspired to ruin his reputation and social life. The court was also informed of the disturbing details of the abuse, including how Lear's son Vincent was targeted when he was around 12 years old. Vincent recounted that his father, while watching TV, told him, 'When the girls have gone to bed, me and your mother are going to teach you something about sex,' and then proceeded to involve himself in sexual acts with his wife, encouraging Vincent to join in.

Vincent described feeling embarrassed, violated, and scared during these incidents, and revealed that he was left confused and unsure of how to process what was happening. Kerstin, now 51 and living in Wiltshire, shared her own traumatic experiences, explaining that Lear began abusing her at the age of seven, which eventually led to her being raped. She recounted how her father would enter her bedroom, which she shared with her younger sister Virginia, and touch her private parts under the bedclothes. When Kerstin was 11, her father raped her in front of her mother, who was present but did not intervene. Kerstin expressed her anguish, saying, 'He told me to get something from his bedroom. My mum was in there waiting, he came in and locked the door. He raped me and my mother encouraged it. She was actively involved. I wanted to kill myself.'

Virginia, now 49 and also from Bristol, was another victim of Lear's abuse, starting from the age of nine. She admitted that she did not fully understand what was happening at the time but knew that it was wrong. Virginia's testimony added to the harrowing picture of a childhood shattered by her father's actions, leaving scars that would last a lifetime. The case has not only brought justice for the victims but has also served as a stark reminder of the importance of speaking out against abuse, regardless of how much time has passed since the crimes occurred.