GLEN BARRETT FROM TILEHURST SENTENCED FOR CHILDHOOD ABUSE IN READING COURT

A young woman from West Berkshire has opened up about the emotional relief she feels after the sentencing of Glen Barrett, a man from Tilehurst, who was convicted of abusing her during her teenage years. Barrett, aged 49 and residing on Norcot Road in Tilehurst, was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison for a series of indecent assaults that occurred between 1998 and 2000. In addition to his imprisonment, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years, following his conviction at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday.

Barrett faced three counts of indecent assault out of five charges brought against him, following a trial held in July. The court proceedings revealed that during the 1990s, Barrett would often sneak into his young victim’s room while she was asleep, touching her breasts inappropriately. The victim, who is now 25 years old, recounted her experiences and the impact it had on her life.

In her interview with getreading, she described how Barrett’s actions and the lies he told during the trial added to her suffering. She expressed her disdain for him, calling him a “b******,” and described the emotional toll the abuse and subsequent court case had taken on her. She explained that Barrett’s manipulative behavior and falsehoods during the trial only deepened her pain.

The woman, who now resides in West Berkshire, shared that her ordeal began at a very young age, leading her to turn to alcohol as a means of coping. She revealed that her schoolmates were afraid of Barrett and refused to associate with her because of his influence. Her mother described her as being “brainwashed” by Barrett, which contributed to her struggles.

She recounted how she started drinking spirits from her mother’s cabinet at just 14 years old, often doing so to numb the pain caused by Barrett’s abuse. Her drinking habits became so severe that she was once suspended from school after being found intoxicated and unable to walk properly. She described being so intoxicated that she had to be placed in a wheelchair, and her mother told her she was an alcoholic, attributing her condition to Barrett’s actions.

Following the birth of one of her children, she sought help from the police, which marked a turning point in her life. She admitted to overdosing and experiencing deep depression, arguing with loved ones and withdrawing from social interactions. However, she eventually realized she needed to take steps to improve her situation for her children’s sake.

The victim expressed her gratitude towards the police for their support and emphasized that Barrett was only kind to her when he was intoxicated. She stated that she is now focused on moving forward and rebuilding her life. Despite the lies Barrett told during the court proceedings, she feels vindicated, as the jury believed her account. She concluded by saying, “A black cloud has lifted and I am free,” signifying her emotional release and hope for a better future.