PERVERTED MAN ABUSED SAME GIRL AS HIS BROTHER - THEN SEXUALLY ATTACKED HER SON
A man who sexually abused the same girl as his brother more than 40 years ago has been jailed for six months.Gordon Bassett, 61, may have been "emboldened" by watching his older brother Stephen sexually assaulting the same victim, before he took her on a boat and indecently assaulted her, Hull Crown Court heard.
Bassett was a teenager at the time of the offence but later showed "contempt" for his victim by sexually assaulting her son.
Both brothers denied any wrongdoing but were convicted by a jury after a trial at the same court in January.
Stephen Bassett, 62, a former Goole taxi firm boss, was jailed for 15 years after being convicted of 14 child sex offences.
Following his conviction, Gordon Bassett made "tentative admissions" in a pre-sentence report, which Claire Holmes, mitigating, said showed some remorse.
However, he was heavily criticised by Judge David Tremberg, who called his admissions "rather hollow" as he had forced his victim through a trial.
Sentencing Gordon Bassett, the judge said: "You have demonstrated a propensity towards an interest in sexual activity with children, not only by virtue of [your conviction on] count 16, but by virtue of the fact you then went on to have such contempt for the victim on this indictment that you committed sexual offences against her son." The judge also noted the impact on the victim, who testified that she felt "dirty and ashamed and guilty" and that her experience left her feeling isolated and tainted.
The court acknowledged that Bassett suffered a "significant" injury from military service which continued to affect him.
The court heard the victim's brave statement, describing how she retreated into herself and still feels affected over 40 years later.
She emphasized that the harm was serious and substantial, and noted her lasting feelings of shame.
The case illustrates a disturbing pattern of abuse involving two brothers, with the earlier conviction of Stephen Bassett highlighting the severity of the offences.
The article also features related court cases and public appeals for awareness and justice.
