ANDRE BRYANT OF CROYDON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILD IN WALLINGTON

In July 2011, Andre Bryant, a 42-year-old man from Beddington Gardens, Wallington, was sentenced to four years in prison for sexually abusing a seven-year-old girl. The judge, Shani Barnes, at Croydon Crown Court, imposed the maximum sentence due to Bryant’s role as a family friend. The abuse, which began two years prior, persisted until December of the previous year, with the victim—who is now nine—beginning to show signs during a medical appointment that raised concerns.

Bryant, originally from Cape Town and a father of four young children, was arrested in February after he confessed to the police. Despite claiming to be a self-employed electrician, he has been unemployed and collecting benefits since obtaining his British passport.

Judge Barnes described Bryant as “a danger to the children of his community” and expressed her disbelief at the nature of the abuse. She stated, “I have rarely seen a case where a child has been abused in this way. This is not a one-off event; it was a pattern of behavior over two years with a child little more than a baby. It was ongoing, and you were only stopped because the child and her mother intervened. She had no choice, but you persuaded yourself she liked it.”

Bryant pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual assault. His sentence includes a minimum of two years before parole eligibility, strict conditions under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) for the next three years, and lifetime registration on the Sex Offenders Register.

A family friend of the victim expressed their relief after the sentencing, saying, “The family feel that justice has been served and are very happy with the outcome. They just accepted this person for who he was and were betrayed completely. The only good thing he did was admit guilt, so there was no trial, although they believe he hasn't fully understood the severity of his actions. It has been a nightmare for them and has severely disrupted their lives. They hope to move forward now that this ordeal has finally concluded. They also wish to thank the police for their sensitive handling of the case.”