ALAN SLADE BRISTOL SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED AFTER CHILDHOOD ABUSE REVELATION
In December 2016, a deeply troubling case unfolded at Bristol Crown Court involving Alan Slade, a man from Fishponds Road, who was convicted of a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against a young girl in Bristol.The victim, who had endured years of suffering from the abuse she experienced between the ages of six and twelve, bravely appeared before the court to deliver her impact statement and to witness the sentencing of her abuser.
She recounted how the abuse had left her with profound emotional scars, including persistent thoughts of suicide, severe struggles with self-confidence, and behavioral problems that haunted her throughout her adolescence.
Despite these devastating effects, she expressed pride in her decision to pursue a career in law enforcement, motivated by a desire to help other victims and to prevent similar crimes from happening to others.
Her journey from victim to police officer was marked by resilience and a determination to turn her pain into purpose.
During her statement, she revealed her long-standing internal battle, stating, “I have given Slade and his actions too many years of my life.
I have spent too long crying and hiding away.
What Slade did to me will never leave me, but it has made me the strong person I am today and I will not give up.” Alan Slade, aged 46 and residing on Fishponds Road, pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault.
The court heard that his offenses included touching the victim’s private parts, oral abuse, and coercing her into touching him improperly.
The prosecution, led by James Tucker, detailed how the abuse had gone unreported for years, with the victim suffering in silence due to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
Judge Martin Picton sentenced Slade to a prison term of six years and eight months, with an additional year on license.
The judge emphasized the severity of the crimes, noting that although the offenses occurred many years ago, the harm inflicted had persisted through the decades.
“It’s quite apparent by the account given by your victim the harm you did then has carried through the decades in the manner she described,” the judge remarked.
“Your selfish and deeply perverted behavior has done huge harm.
She managed not to allow the wrong you did to define her life, but it greatly impacted her.” Furthermore, Slade was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subjected to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with minors.
These measures aim to protect the community and prevent any future offenses.
In a powerful reflection on her own resilience, the victim shared her experience of how her involvement with the police had become a pivotal part of her healing process.
She recounted attending a seminar on sexual offenses, where she listened to a survivor’s story about their struggles with addiction, incarceration, and the long road to recovery.
This moment sparked a realization within her.
“They talked about their struggle with drugs and alcohol, their time spent in police cells after being arrested for various things, the way their life had just got worse until they eventually faced up to their past,” she explained.
“Suddenly something clicked inside of me.
I sat there and I had an overwhelming feeling of pride.
I was thinking, I could have ended up this way but instead, despite always believing I was weak and useless, I have never touched drugs or had a problem with alcohol, I have never been arrested, I have in fact done the complete opposite and I knew at that moment I was incredibly strong, strong enough to finally get some closure.” Her decision to report her abuse to the police marked a turning point in her life.
She described how, from the moment she gave her statement, a significant burden was lifted, and she felt a sense of liberation.
“That same day I reported my abuse to the police and from the minute I gave my statement I felt like this huge weight had lifted from me.
I felt almost free and the feeling in the pit of my stomach was gone,” she concluded, highlighting her journey from victim to survivor and her ongoing commitment to helping others.
