JOHN BRADY FROM SOUTHPORT AND TOXTETH ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD SEX OFFENSES

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Southport and Toxteth, John Brady, a man with a troubling past involving child abuse, was recently brought before Liverpool Crown Court to face charges related to his past misconduct. Brady, who was once a resident of Bentley Road in Toxteth and later moved to Southport, was convicted of a single count of indecency with a child, but was acquitted of other serious allegations involving indecent assault on a male over a three-year period.

The incident in question dates back to the 1990s when Brady, then aged 18, sexually abused a vulnerable six-year-old boy. The court heard that the young victim suffered significant psychological trauma as a result of the abuse, battling depression and trust issues throughout his adult life. The court was told that the abuse occurred in a private setting, where the defendant was caught in the act of masturbating with the door open. When the child entered the room, Brady allegedly asked him if he wanted to join in, persuading the young boy to participate in the act.

Judge David Swinnerton addressed the court, emphasizing the profound impact of the crime on the victim. He stated, “The man that stands in front of me is not the man that committed this offence,” referencing Brady’s current condition. The judge explained that Brady’s involvement in a car crash had resulted in a severe brain injury, which he described as “life-altering,” and that Brady now resides in “adult foster care.”

During the trial, the court was shown the distressing details of the victim’s experience. The judge recounted that the boy, at the time of the incident, was too young to understand what was happening, and Brady had told him he would understand when he was older. As the victim matured, he faced ongoing psychological difficulties, including depression, and struggled with issues of trust and emotional stability.

Prosecutor Arthur Gibson highlighted that the now adult man, who was present in the courtroom, preferred not to have his personal statement read aloud. The statement detailed his lifelong struggles stemming from the abuse, including his battles with depression and his difficulty in trusting others. The court heard that the maximum sentence for indecency with a child at the time of the offence was two years in prison. However, legal changes had increased the maximum penalty to ten years shortly after the incident. Today, the equivalent offence—inciting a child to engage in sexual activity—carries a maximum sentence of 14 years.

Despite the gravity of the offence, Judge Swinnerton sentenced Brady to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years. The sentence also included a 30-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and a four-month home curfew from 8 pm to 8 am daily. Some supporters of the victim expressed disappointment, shaking their heads as the sentence was announced, feeling it did not adequately reflect the severity of the crime committed against the vulnerable child in Toxteth and Southport.