FREDERICK BROOKES FROM HOLBURY AND NEW MILTON SENTENCED FOR ABUSING CHILDREN AND DOWNLOADING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In September 2012, the community was shaken by the revelation of Frederick Brookes, a man once regarded as a trusted figure in Holbury and New Milton, who was sentenced to ten years in prison for heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of two young girls and the possession of over 12,000 disturbing images of child pornography.

Brookes, aged 62 and known to many by his middle name Paul, was a school worker who had previously contributed to the education and welfare of numerous children. His reputation, however, was shattered when it was uncovered that he had committed acts of sexual misconduct against two girls under the age of ten. The court heard that these girls, who were not pupils at the school where Brookes was employed, suffered emotional trauma as a result of his actions. One of the victims was left haunted by nightmares, living in constant fear that Brookes might harm her again.

The case came to light after Brookes’s wife, who had grown increasingly suspicious of her husband's behavior, decided to report him to the police. Her concerns were prompted by her observation that Brookes was frequently giving the girls sweets and biscuits, which she considered an unhealthy and suspicious pattern. Her suspicions were confirmed when she questioned one of the girls, who initially denied any wrongdoing but later disclosed that Brookes had indeed abused her. Brookes vehemently denied the allegations, claiming he had only played with the children but had not engaged in any sexual contact.

Further investigation revealed that Brookes had been grooming a third girl, with the intent of filming her while she was helpless, naked, and restrained. Prosecutor James Newton-Price detailed how Brookes had even enlisted a third girl to assist him in capturing footage of one of his victims, who was tied up and visibly distressed. The police examination of Brookes’s computer uncovered a disturbing collection of images. Although he initially denied possessing any such material, forensic analysis recovered over 12,000 indecent images, including nearly 1,000 classified as the most severe level involving sadism.

Among the most disturbing evidence presented in court were five video clips, which were broken down into 196 still images. These images depicted one of the victims tied up, with a video camera zooming in and out on her, capturing her in a state of helplessness. The images and videos revealed the extent of Brookes’s depravity and the serious nature of his offenses.

During police interviews, Brookes expressed feelings of shame and embarrassment, admitting that he needed help. He claimed he was disgusted with himself and expressed remorse for his actions. The impact of his crimes was vividly illustrated through victim impact statements read aloud in court. One set of parents described how Brookes’s betrayal had shattered their trust in others, and their daughter was now plagued by nightmares. The parents of the second girl explained that their once confident and outgoing daughter had become withdrawn and too frightened to sleep alone.

Brookes, of Stem Lane, New Milton, pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual assault and 18 charges of making indecent images. In addition to his prison sentence, he was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order that prohibited him from accessing children and the internet. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and disqualified from working with children permanently.

In mitigation, defense representative Rebecca Austin highlighted Brookes’s previously good character, noting his remorse and regret. She pointed out that he had lost his wife, his job, and his reputation, and was suffering from depression, for which he was taking medication. She emphasized that he had not shared the images with anyone and was not motivated by financial gain.

However, the judge condemned Brookes’s actions as “truly abhorrent,” emphasizing the breach of trust and the profound emotional damage inflicted on the victims and their families. The court recognized Brookes as a figure who had betrayed the community’s trust, once seen as a pillar of the local area, and described his conduct as the worst nightmare for parents and children alike.