GORDON DEAN FROM MILDENHALL SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN KNOTTY ASH AND LIVERPOOL

In a chilling case that has shocked the community, Gordon Dean, a 79-year-old man from Mildenhall, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of a young girl and her child. The court heard that Dean, who resided in Chilcott Road, Knotty Ash, repeatedly assaulted and raped his first victim over a span of several years, starting when she was just 13 years old and continuing until she reached 20.

According to the evidence presented at Liverpool Crown Court, Dean’s crimes extended beyond the initial abuse. The victim became pregnant as a result of his assault, and the child was born during this period. Shockingly, after the birth of the child, Dean continued his predatory behavior by raping and sexually abusing the girl’s daughter, who was only between the ages of eight and twelve at the time. The court was told that Dean’s actions inflicted deep emotional and psychological scars on both victims.

Throughout the proceedings, Dean maintained his innocence, denying any wrongdoing. However, the case against him was irrefutably supported by DNA evidence, which ultimately led him to admit to six counts of rape, indecency with a child, indecent assault, assault causing actual bodily harm, and common assault. Prior to this, Dean had no criminal record.

Judge David Aubrey, QC, delivered a stern and condemnatory verdict, describing Dean as a “domineering, controlling, deviant and depraved man,” and labeling him a “predatory paedophile.” The judge expressed profound concern about the impact of Dean’s actions, questioning how anyone could come to terms with the fact that their existence was rooted in the rape of their mother, and then being subjected to abuse by the same individual.

He further condemned Dean’s chilling behavior, noting that the offender had told his victims that he intended to “break them in,” a statement that underscored the perverted nature of his crimes. The judge emphasized the lifelong emotional and psychological damage inflicted upon the victims, stating, “You took away their virginity, you took away their innocence, you took away much of their lives. You have scarred both of them emotionally and psychologically.”

The court also heard that Dean had physically assaulted his first victim, punching her and warning her that “bad things would happen” if she ever disclosed his crimes. The prosecution, led by Frank Dillon, revealed that Dean’s criminal activities came to light in December of the previous year when the first victim confided in police. During the investigation, her daughter disclosed that she, too, had been raped by Dean as a child.

Following this revelation, a confrontation ensued involving Dean, his first victim, and a third woman. During this altercation, Dean pushed the third woman and repeatedly punched his first victim, causing her jaw to be dislocated. Despite the mounting evidence, Dean initially denied all allegations during police interviews, pleading not guilty. It was only after DNA evidence was presented to his legal team that he changed his plea and admitted to the charges.

In court, the youngest victim bravely read a statement describing the profound impact of Dean’s abuse. She expressed feelings of worthlessness and described her childhood as stolen, revealing her struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts. She stated, “Thanks to him I’ve never known what it’s like to be normal. I feel my childhood was stolen from me. I felt dirty and worthless, the result of sin. I thought about ending my life with a bottle of pills, but being a Christian stopped me.”

Her older sister also shared her trauma, recounting how she lived in constant fear, feeling vulnerable and ashamed due to Dean’s actions. The defense, represented by Carmel Wilde, acknowledged the shamefulness of Dean’s crimes, noting his previous employment as a mechanic and airport police worker, and suggesting that his remorse was genuine, albeit late. Wilde pointed out that Dean, nearing 80 years of age, was likely to spend his remaining days incarcerated, hinting at possible signs of shame, including an alleged attempt on his life before arrest.

Judge Aubrey dismissed Dean’s claims of remorse as “hollow words,” emphasizing that his dark secret was now exposed to all. The judge highlighted the severity of the case, describing the effects on the victims’ lives as “unimaginable and incalculable,” and condemning Dean’s conduct as “totally and utterly abhorrent and depraved.”

As the sentence was handed down, Dean showed no emotion, while the youngest victim was visibly distressed, bursting into tears. The judge classified Dean as a particularly concerning offender, meaning he will serve a minimum of 10 years in prison before being eligible for parole, contingent upon a parole board’s assessment of whether he remains a threat to society.