BRETT DEANE FROM PETERBOROUGH SENTENCED TO 13 YEARS FOR CHILD RAPE AND ONLINE ABUSE

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Peterborough, a man named Brett Deane was sentenced to 13 years in prison on Tuesday, 7 January, after he pleaded guilty to a series of heinous child sex offences. The court heard that Deane, aged 28 and residing on Welland Road in Peterborough, had committed the most disturbing acts over a period of 16 months involving a young girl just four years old.

Deane's crimes included the filming of his abuse, which he then shared online, along with dozens of photographs capturing the sickening acts. The most disturbing evidence was a 52-second video of the rape, which he recorded on his mobile phone. The court was told that Deane had admitted to raping the girl approximately ten times during the period of his abuse.

The investigation into Deane’s activities was initiated after authorities received a tip-off from police in Australia. The Australian police had uncovered images that Deane was sharing online, which led to a detailed investigation by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP). Using his email address, law enforcement officials tracked him down to his residence in Peterborough.

Prosecutor Charles Myatt revealed that when police seized Deane’s mobile device, they discovered hundreds of indecent images of children stored on it. Among these were over 100 images taken by Deane himself of his four-year-old victim. Additionally, the phone contained other images not taken by Deane but depicting abuse of children younger than two years old, highlighting the extent of his involvement in child exploitation.

Throughout the sentencing hearing, Deane appeared visibly distressed, staring at the floor and shaking as the court read out the details of his crimes. His defense lawyer, Claire Matthews, acknowledged the severity of his actions but emphasized that Deane had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, which spared his victim from further trauma during interviews. She described him as remorseful and bewildered by his own conduct.

Judge Nic Madge, presiding over the case, sentenced Deane to 13 years in prison. The judge emphasized the lasting impact of Deane’s actions on the young victim, stating that her emotional and physical trauma would likely influence her future relationships. The court’s decision reflected the gravity of the offences committed against a vulnerable child.

Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Amerjit Singh expressed his support for the victim, describing her as the most innocent of victims and condemning Deane’s actions as deplorable. Detective Constable Samantha Jackson also commented on the case, expressing hope that the young girl would be able to begin rebuilding her childhood and find a sense of normalcy after the trauma inflicted upon her.

Deane had previously entered guilty pleas to ten separate charges in October, including the rape of a child, sexual assault, and possession and distribution of indecent images of children. His sentences for these offences ranged from eight to twelve years, with some sentences to run concurrently and others consecutively, reflecting the severity and multiplicity of his crimes. The court’s verdict underscores the importance of justice for victims of such heinous acts and the ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation.