April 2017 Sex offender who preyed on children over 22 years has been jailed  A ‘remorseless’ paedophile has been jailed for 12 years after being found guilty of a string of sex offences against children. Brian Newman, 83, denied committing eight counts of indecent assault on a child and two counts of sexual activity with a child during an eight day trial at Southend Crown Court. Newman, who was arrested on June 21 2015, committed the vile attacks between April 1993 and June 2015. Newman, of Centurion Close, Shoebury, failed to appear at Basildon Crown Court for sentencing on January 31, and was arrested later that day. Today (April 28), he was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. Speaking after the hearing, Investigating officer, Dc Tiffany Jennings, said: “Newman has caused a horrendous amount of torment to his victims and their families over a period of several years. “He has shown no remorse throughout the case and caused further anguish to his victims after failing to appear at court for sentencing, showing no regard for his actions or the criminal justice system. Newman’s victims have shown bravery by coming forward and speaking out against a predatory abuser who has been handed a significant custodial sentence.”   February 2017 Former soldier, who sexually abused two young girls has been locked up after court no-show A FORMER soldier who sexually abused two young girls has been locked up after absconding from court. Brian Newman, 82, was convicted of ten counts of sexual abuse in December after a trial at Basildon Crown Court. The offences took place when he was aged in his sixties and eighties. The frail pensioner, of Centurion Close, Shoebury, was released on bail after the trial so a pre-sentence report could be completed – but he failed to show up at court to be jailed on Tuesday. Officers visited him at home the following day. He told them he did not have enough money to make the trip to Basildon. Newman was brought into the dock wearing a blue blazer with a military pin and badge. He was allowed to sit down because of his ill health. He spoke only to confirm his name and to admit a charge of absconding from court. Judge David Owen-Jones ordered him to be remanded in custody and warned him he faces a prison sentence. He said: “He put the court to incredible inconvenience and wasted a whole day of public money. “Relatives of the complainants came to court, as did both counsel – having to return another case to mitigate on behalf of Mr Newman. He will remain in custody.” Addressing Newman, the judge added: “You failed to turn up. I am not going to trust you to turn up next time. You are going to prison, as you well know.” Newman was convicted of an indecent assault between April 1993 and June 1998; two counts of indecent assault between August 1998 and June 2003; five indecent assaults between June 2000 and June 2003; sexual assault between November 2012 and June 2015 and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity between November 2012 and June 2015. The judge directed the jury to clear him of one indecent assault and he was found not guilty of two sexual assaults. He will be sentenced on February 17.