WILLIAM BARBER'S SHOCKING CHILD ABUSE IN BROCKWORTH: A COMMUNITY'S TRUST SHATTERED

In July 2011, the quiet and seemingly idyllic community of Brockworth was rocked to its core when William Barber, a man once regarded as a respected figure within the town, was convicted of heinous crimes involving the abuse of eight children over a period spanning more than a decade.

William Barber, who was well-known locally as a parish councillor, a school governor, and a dedicated member of the Brockworth community, concealed a dark and sinister secret behind his public persona. For 13 years, he exploited the trust placed in him by vulnerable children, some as young as five years old, subjecting them to indecent assaults and acts of gross indecency. The victims, seven girls and one boy, ranged in age from five to twelve at the time of the offences, and their suffering was finally brought to light during a high-profile trial at Gloucester Crown Court.

The jury, after careful deliberation, unanimously found Barber guilty of 18 separate charges related to his abuse of these children. The severity of his crimes and the duration over which they occurred shocked the community and cast a long shadow over his previously unblemished reputation. Judge Jamie Tabor QC, presiding over the case, sentenced Barber to 14 years in prison. During the sentencing, the judge did not hold back in condemning Barber’s actions, stating, "During the course of this case you have not shown, as far as I can see, one scintilla of concern for your victims. You have only shown concern for yourself. These children trusted you, as did their parents, and you betrayed that trust wholly. Your actions really took away their childhoods and childhood memories far, far too early in their lives."

One of Barber’s victims, speaking bravely after the trial, expressed her feelings about the case, saying, "I would have liked to see him locked up for the rest of his life. I hate to think that he might have the chance to abuse other children in future like he abused us."

At 61 years old, William Barber was a familiar face in Brockworth, often seen as a pillar of the community. He was known for his efforts to help others, campaigning for increased police presence and addressing issues such as littering and anti-social behaviour. His involvement extended to being a foster carer in Gloucestershire from 1977 to 1989, although none of the victims in this case were children he fostered.

Despite his outward appearance as a dedicated community member, Barber’s true nature was far more sinister. His role as a parish councillor and member of the Brockworth Tenants Association allowed him to interact with many vulnerable families seeking assistance. In 1997, he served as chairman of the tenants group, and he was also active in local campaigning, including advocating for more police patrols in Brockworth. His reputation as a caring and helpful individual was carefully cultivated, enabling him to gain the trust and friendship of many residents.

However, the community’s perception of Barber was shattered when the truth about his criminal activities emerged. Councillor Mike Collins, a Liberal Democrat representing Brockworth, remarked, "It’s hard to believe this kind of thing was going on around us, yet it took years for it all to come out. This offending was going on, but it was only when the victims got older and chose to come forward, when he was found out. It’s awful."

Jim Hunt, who has been involved with the parish council since 1991, reflected on the revelations, saying, "It’s unbelievable really. If he had been on the parish council now, we would not have been happy, it would have been embarrassing."

Barber’s criminal history includes a previous incident in February 2000, when he appeared in Gloucester Magistrates Court charged with indecent assault on a young boy. He denied the allegations, and when the case was transferred to Crown Court ten months later, Judge Tom Longbotham dismissed all eight charges due to flaws in the evidence, allowing Barber to walk free at that time.

By this point, Barber was living in relative seclusion in a one-bedroom flat on Southgate Street. Neighbours described him as a recluse, rarely seen outside and with little social interaction. Lleanne Smith, a 30-year-old resident, recalled hearing a scream from his flat and reported the incident to social services. She attended the recent trial and described her impression of Barber, saying, "I just looked through his eyes and saw a big black hole that led to nowhere."

Another neighbour, Jonathan Woodward, aged 40, added, "He is a recluse, he doesn’t have anything to do with anyone."

The investigation into Barber’s activities resumed in April 2010 after one of his victims filed a complaint. This led to a comprehensive inquiry that uncovered his pattern of deception and revealed additional victims. Sergeant Nigel Hatten commented on the case, stating, "Sadly, he used that image of respectability to aid his offending and, like many predatory paedophiles, relied upon fear and intimidation to ensure his victims were too afraid to come forward."

As part of his sentence, Barber was issued a sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits him from associating with children after his release, potentially as early as 2018. Additionally, he was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities and whereabouts.

Despite his conviction and sentencing, the scars left on his victims and the community of Brockworth serve as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk behind a facade of respectability.