ANDREW BRAY FROM COXHEATH NEAR MAIDSTONE SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN MAIDSTONE

In a case that spanned over two decades, Andrew Bray, a resident of Coxheath near Maidstone, has been sentenced to four years in prison for sexually abusing a young boy during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The lengthy legal process uncovered disturbing details about Bray's actions and the delayed pursuit of justice.

Bray-Wiltshire, who lived on Heath Road in Coxheath, was finally brought to court after years of evading prosecution. The case was significantly delayed because Bray-Wiltshire had been living and working abroad in Dubai before his return to the Maidstone area. It was only after his return that authorities were able to arrest him and bring charges against him.

The court heard that Bray-Wiltshire admitted to four counts of indecent assault and three counts of indecency with a child, just before his trial was set to commence. Prosecutor Deborah Charles outlined the horrific timeline of abuse, revealing that the victim, now aged 30, was subjected to Bray-Wiltshire’s misconduct starting in 1987 when he was just 12 years old. The abuse continued until the victim was 16.

According to the prosecution, the first incident occurred when the young boy awoke to find Bray-Wiltshire, who was employed by a plastics company in Tonbridge, pulling down his underpants and fondling him. The boy, frightened and overwhelmed, tried to move away, but Bray-Wiltshire restrained him by moving his hand across the boy’s body. The victim, confused and scared, did not initially report the incident because he did not understand what was happening or how to respond.

In the same year, the boy encountered Bray-Wiltshire approaching him again. To avoid further contact, he pretended to be asleep. However, Bray-Wiltshire forced the boy to perform a sexual act on him. The victim was left feeling scared and guilty, and the abuse persisted over the years. Bray-Wiltshire, described as a heavy drinker, used force to coerce the boy into performing sexual acts when he was around 13 or 14 years old.

When the boy reached 16, Bray-Wiltshire attempted to initiate further contact by putting his arm around him, but this was rejected, leading to a physical confrontation. The victim’s sister later made allegations against Bray-Wiltshire when her brother was 18. A private prosecution was initiated, which resulted in damages being awarded to the sister, amounting to £30,000. However, the police questioned the victim, who was then in the midst of exams and unable to cope with further proceedings at that time.

Prosecutor Miss Charles explained that the delay in bringing Bray-Wiltshire to justice was primarily due to his residence in Dubai. It was only after he returned to the UK that authorities could arrest him and conduct interviews regarding the allegations. When Bray-Wiltshire was finally detained in May of the previous year, he chose to remain silent in response to questions.

Despite the court’s order for Bray-Wiltshire to pay the damages, he had only paid a small portion—around £5,000 to £6,000—over the six years since the court ruling. His defense attorney, Robert Ellison, stated that Bray-Wiltshire had intended to admit guilt early on and had no desire to prolong the trial. Ellison emphasized that Bray-Wiltshire had been honest about his guilt and that the victim’s allegations, which had been made and withdrawn multiple times in the 1990s, were eventually fully substantiated in 2001.

Ellison also revealed that Bray-Wiltshire had remarried but was now facing divorce after confiding in his wife about the abuse. The defendant had held responsible positions in the plastics industry, including managing a factory in Manchester, but resigned from his job due to the allegations. His personal life had been significantly affected, and he was described as awaiting his prison sentence.

In sentencing, Judge Michael Neligan ordered Bray-Wiltshire to register as a sex offender for life and prohibited him from working with children. The judge acknowledged the harm caused, stating, “You know, of course, the harm that you have done,” emphasizing the seriousness of the offenses and the lasting impact on the victim.