JOHN BRADLEY FROM GARVAGH SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN COLERAINE AND LONDONDERRY

In December 2012, John Bradley, a man residing in Garvagh, was sentenced at Londonderry Crown Court after being convicted of a series of heinous sexual offences committed against young children over a span of more than a decade. The court heard that Bradley, a retired builder from Mettican Road in Garvagh, was found guilty of 22 separate charges, including indecent assaults, gross indecency, and attempted rape, involving three young victims.

His criminal activities reportedly began in 1981, when the victims were all still in primary school. The court was informed that Bradley had engaged in a pattern of abuse that persisted for over 13 years, with some of the offences taking place in his own home, while others occurred in his vehicle. The severity and prolonged nature of the abuse were highlighted by Judge Piers Grant, who emphasized that Bradley’s actions were driven by his own sexual gratification and constituted a grave breach of trust.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Bradley had admitted to 16 counts of indecent assault, five charges of gross indecency with a child, and one count of attempted rape. The victims, who had requested that their identities be protected, had asked for the removal of a publicity order so that Bradley could be publicly identified. The first victim, who was between 7 and 12 years old at the time, was subjected to attempted rape and ten additional counts of abuse between January 1981 and December 1987. She was also convicted of five charges of gross indecency against her.

Another girl, aged between 7 and 10 during the period from October 1989 to December 1992, was also a victim of Bradley’s predatory behavior, which included indecent assault. A third victim, aged between 4 and 8 years old, was assaulted between January 1990 and December 1994. The court noted that the abuse was particularly egregious due to its duration and the breach of trust involved, as some offences occurred while Bradley was staying at the victims’ homes.

Judge Grant described Bradley as a high-risk offender who had shown no remorse for his actions. He stated, “It is now time for others to recognize the wickedness of what you did and for them to help the victims recover from the trauma inflicted upon them.” The judge also pointed out that the victims now suffer from depression, feelings of shame, and concerns for their own children’s safety.

In a separate but related development, it was reported that as of September 2016, John Bradley had been released from custody and was residing at Ashdale in Coleraine. The court proceedings and sentencing took place earlier that week, and Bradley was expected to serve a significant period of imprisonment for his crimes. His case underscores the long-lasting impact of sexual abuse and the importance of justice for victims who endured such heinous acts over many years.