MICHAEL BROOKS FROM OAKENHOLT JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING VULNERABLE TEEN NEAR FLINT

In a case that has shocked the local community, Michael Brooks, a 46-year-old man residing in Bennett’s Lane, Oakenholt, near Flint, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for engaging in sexual activities with a teenage girl he was entrusted to care for. The incident unfolded in North Wales, where Brooks was employed as a carer, a role that placed him in a position of significant trust and responsibility.

The young girl, who was taken into care after suffering sexual assault at the hands of her biological father, became involved with Brooks during her time in foster care. The court heard that the girl, aged 16 at the time, had been moved from her previous placement due to concerns raised by her carers and social workers. Despite her removal from Brooks' supervision, the two continued to meet secretly, which eventually led to their sexual relationship being uncovered.

Authorities were alerted when Brooks and the girl disappeared together. Law enforcement officials managed to track them down, and during questioning, the girl disclosed the nature of their relationship. It was revealed that Brooks had engaged in sexual acts with her on multiple occasions, actions that he claimed were initiated by the girl herself. His wife had previously grown suspicious of the amount of time Brooks and the girl spent together, which contributed to the investigation.

Prosecutor Robert Trevor-Jones explained that Brooks was employed by a private company as a carer, although he had previously worked for social services. The court was informed that Brooks had also provided counselling to the girl regarding her stepfather’s sexual abuse, which added complexity to the case. Brooks denied grooming or coercing the girl, asserting that she had come onto him and that he believed their relationship was consensual. He argued that, at the time, he was unaware that engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged 16 while in a position of trust was a criminal offence.

Judge Huw Daniel was critical of Brooks’ attempt to shift blame onto the girl, emphasizing that her age did not exempt him from legal responsibility. Brooks was convicted of five counts of having sexual intercourse while in a position of trust, along with six counts of engaging in sexual activity in such a capacity. As part of his sentence, he is required to register as a sex offender for five years and is prohibited from working with children during that period.

During the trial, Brooks’ defense attorney, Nicholas Mason, argued that the girl was the one who expressed her infatuation with Brooks and that she had told a social worker she fancied him. Mason described the relationship as a total aberration on Brooks’ part, asserting that he did not groom or coerce the girl. He also pointed out that until the year 2000, it was not illegal for a person in Brooks’ position to have sex with a 16-year-old, implying that Brooks was unaware of the legal implications at the time.

The case highlights the dangers of breaches of trust by those entrusted with vulnerable individuals and raises ongoing concerns about safeguarding practices within care environments in North Wales and beyond.