ROBERT BROWNLOW FROM RADSTOCK SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Radstock, a man named Robert Brownlow has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of sexually abusing seven young children over a span of more than a decade. The Bristol Crown Court heard harrowing details of how Brownlow, aged 59 and residing on Queen's Road in Radstock, managed to gain access to his young victims over a period stretching from when they were as young as four years old up to the age of 13.

Brownlow vehemently denied any wrongdoing throughout the trial, but the jury found him guilty of 26 separate charges of sexual assault. The court was told that his offenses occurred over a period of approximately 15 years, during which he repeatedly engaged in inappropriate and abusive behavior towards the children. The severity of the case was underscored by the number of victims and the length of time over which the abuse took place.

Judge Michael Longman presided over the case and delivered a stern judgment. He remarked that when Brownlow committed these acts, the children involved felt uncomfortable and, in many cases, dirty and betrayed. The judge pointed out that Brownlow’s not guilty pleas indicated a lack of remorse, emphasizing that the defendant showed no signs of regret for his actions. In his sentencing remarks, Judge Longman explained that while each individual offense might not represent the most severe form of sexual assault, the cumulative impact of the repeated offenses, the ages of the victims, and the prolonged period of abuse made the case particularly serious.

He further noted that each victim had to recount their experiences in court and undergo cross-examination, often facing accusations of lying or fabricating their stories. This added to the emotional toll on the young victims, who had to relive their trauma during the proceedings.

As part of his sentence, Brownlow was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with children. Additionally, he was ordered to sign the sex offender register indefinitely and was barred from working with children in any capacity for the foreseeable future.

Prosecutor Ian Fenny revealed that Brownlow had a history of inappropriate behavior, having been cautioned for similar conduct back in 1995. The recent allegations, which surfaced last year, prompted a renewed police investigation that ultimately led to his prosecution. The case highlighted the importance of vigilance and the need for ongoing monitoring of individuals with a history of such conduct.

Defense lawyer Brendon Moorhouse requested that the judge consider placing most of the offenses within the lower end of the sentencing guidelines, arguing that Brownlow was not employed in a trusted position of authority over children. He emphasized that outside of these criminal acts, his client was well-respected and liked by those who knew him. Moorhouse also acknowledged that the prison sentence would have a significant impact on Brownlow’s life, but assured the court that he would have no further contact with children in the future.

Detective Inspector Mike Williams of Avon and Somerset police expressed his thoughts on the case, stating, “My thoughts are with the victims of this investigation, who bravely gave evidence during the trial, of sexual offences committed against them by a manipulative sexual predator.” The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable children and holding offenders accountable for their actions.