MICHAEL BROOKER OF GRAVESEND SENTENCED IN CANTERBURY FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES COMMITTED IN THANET

In February 2019, Michael Brooker, a resident of Gravesend, faced a court in Canterbury where he was sentenced for sex offences against a child that occurred over 30 years prior in Thanet. Brooker, who will turn 70 next month, was handed a 16-year prison sentence for his crimes.

During the sentencing, the judge, Recorder David Jeremy QC, acknowledged the possibility that Brooker may not survive his prison term and might die before being released. Brooker retorted, “Well he has brought this on himself. People who target children do so because they are less likely to report it at the time. Many, many years may pass before they are able to reveal what happened.”

Throughout the proceedings, Brooker remained stoic in the dock while the judge read out the details of his conviction on 17 sex offences. As the victim watched from the public gallery, Brooker sharply turned away and was taken to the cells without acknowledging her.

The court was informed that the victim had described Brooker as having “stolen her childhood,” causing her to suffer from flashbacks. Recorder Jeremy noted that Brooker had not destroyed her life because she had shown courage and refused to let that happen. Despite reporting the initial incidents at the time, she was not believed. It was only after she discussed her depression with a counsellor that she felt able to report the abuse again. Her father was then informed and alerted the police, who launched an investigation into Brooker’s secret assaults.

Prosecutor Dominic Connolly told the jury that Brooker had forced the victim to perform multiple lewd acts in Thanet. He revealed that police examining Brooker’s computer discovered more than 1,000 indecent images, including some among the worst types known. Brooker admitted to downloading these depraved images but denied the charges of rape and sexual assault, claiming the victim fabricated the allegations.

Brooker was ordered to remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and placed under an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, reflecting the severity of his crimes.