BILL BRADSHAW OF DERBY JAILED FOR CHILD SEXUAL OFFENSIVES
A man with a passion for Halloween and cosplay has been sentenced to prison for multiple years after abusing several underage girls over a period of more than a decade.Billy Bradshaw, who famously dressed as a vampire for his own wedding, caused immense trauma to his five victims through a series of disturbing assaults spanning several years.
The 31-year-old, who was homeless and a father of four, first abused victims as a teenager.
His crimes came to light in 2019 when two girls reported being assaulted to police.
Following this, three additional victims came forward, revealing that Bradshaw had also molested them during their childhood.
Bradshaw denied all charges and chose to stand trial, forcing his victims to relive their painful experiences in court.
Despite his denials, a jury at Derby Crown Court swiftly convicted him of all charges taking just 90 minutes to reach a verdict.
On Friday, January 7, Bradshaw was sentenced to over 12 years in prison, with a further year on extended licence.
Several of his victims were present in court to face their attacker as he was handed down his sentence.
Prosecutor Barnaby Shaw detailed the profound impact of Bradshaw’s actions through victim impact statements.
One victim shared that she has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression: 'I just wanted him to tell the truth about what happened.
When I found he pleaded not guilty, it broke me.
I wanted him to tell the truth.
I want a normal life; I feel this is unlikely given what he did to me.' Another victim explained how her feelings towards substances and festivities like Halloween—an event Bradshaw adored and even incorporated into his own wedding—had been permanently affected.
She said: 'I became depressed and felt unworthy.
It has devastated my family.
I see the pain in my mum’s eyes, feeling she didn’t protect me enough, and the anger in my father.' A third victim recounted her struggles with her identity and mental health post-abuse: 'After what happened, I couldn’t bear living in my own skin.
I attempted to take my life because of what he did.
I try to physically cut out the pain, and I have uncontrollable rage.
I hope that someday I can live a normal life again and be the person I was before.' All victims reported a loss of trust in men and an aversion to physical contact, including hugging or being touched.
Bradshaw was convicted on multiple counts: three of indecent assault of a girl under 16, three of sexual activity with a child, one of assaulting a child under 13 by penetration, one of sexual assault of a child under 13, and one of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
His defence lawyer acknowledged there was no mitigation for these offences but highlighted Bradshaw’s health issues, including depression, anxiety, and gout.
He described how Bradshaw, being the father of four young boys, would be unable to see them for a long time, and noted that the trial meant he would not receive any leniency.
During sentencing, Recorder Adrian Reynolds condemned Bradshaw’s actions as "despicable" and emphasized his lack of remorse.
He remarked, "You had the chance to consider your wife and children before deciding whether to admit what you had done.
You showed no compassion for your victims, and I will show none to you." Reynolds added that handing down sequential sentences for each offence would be disproportionate and difficult for the victims to understand.
He described his behaviour as "appalling" and said he had destroyed his victims’ lives, with one victim’s statement recalling how "her dignity and soul were robbed," and another revealing she had attempted to take her own life.
Bradshaw was sentenced to a total of 12 years in prison, with an additional year on extended licence.
He is also required to register as a sex offender for life and must adhere to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order until further notice.
