BRETT SAUNDERS FROM SWINDON SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE AND ONLINE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
In September 2015, Brett Saunders, a man residing on Croft Road in Swindon, was sentenced to a total of seven years in prison after being convicted of multiple heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of young girls and the possession of indecent images of children.The court heard harrowing details of Saunders' conduct, which spanned from 2004 to 2010, during which he targeted girls under the age of 13.
Judge Kristina Montgomery described Saunders' actions as “absolutely disgraceful,” emphasizing the profound impact his abuse had on his victims.
Victim impact statements revealed the devastating emotional and psychological toll inflicted upon the girls, with the court acknowledging the extensive harm caused by Saunders’ predatory behavior.
The judge pointed out that the victims’ accounts clearly demonstrated the “devastation” Saunders had wrought in their lives.
Evidence presented during the trial painted a disturbing picture of Saunders’ interactions with his young victims.
One girl, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, testified that Saunders had sexually touched her approximately 30 times and claimed that she was filmed from the age of about seven or eight.
The jury learned that Saunders had treated one of the girls “as his adult partner,” engaging in acts such as kissing her, touching her, and on one occasion, rubbing talcum powder on her body.
Additionally, Saunders attempted to persuade another girl to sleep with him in his bed, further illustrating his manipulative and predatory behavior.
All three victims, whom Saunders abused over a period of six years, were under 13 years old at the time of the offenses.
Despite denying the charges initially, Saunders was found guilty by a jury after a six-day trial, which included evidence of his repeated abuse and exploitation of these vulnerable children.
The court also heard that Saunders had been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes.
Following the cessation of his physical abuse of the girls, Saunders’ criminal activities extended into the digital realm.
Investigators uncovered thousands of indecent images and videos of children on his computer, which led to his previous convictions and subsequent imprisonment.
Judge Montgomery highlighted that Saunders’ internet history provided the “clearest demonstration” of his sexual interest in children, further underscoring the depravity of his actions.
During the trial, Saunders was convicted of eight counts of sexual assault on girls under 13 and three counts of voyeurism.
He showed no visible emotion as he was led away from the courtroom after the verdict.
The court sentenced him to two years for two of the sexual assaults against the first girl, three years for five assaults on a second girl, and an additional 12 months for a sexual assault on the third girl.
These sentences are to be served consecutively.
Furthermore, Saunders received a 12-month sentence for the voyeurism charges, and he will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the next ten years.
In a related case from August 2013, Saunders, then 40 years old and living in Beaulieu Close, Toothill, was again sentenced for possessing thousands of indecent images of children.
His computer contained over 5,000 images and videos, many of which depicted children as young as three or four years old being abused.
This was uncovered during an investigation by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, which traced the material back to Saunders.
Authorities found that Saunders had been downloading such material despite being under a court order that prohibited him from owning or accessing electronic devices without approval.
Prosecutor Rosie Collins explained that Saunders’ computer and storage devices were seized during a police raid in September of the previous year.
The evidence revealed a disturbing collection of child abuse images, with the majority of victims under 13.
Saunders admitted to downloading the indecent images but claimed he could not explain why he resumed this behavior after his previous conviction.
He pleaded guilty to breaching his sexual offences prevention order, possessing, and making indecent images of children.
During sentencing, Judge Euan Ambrose noted the extensive nature of Saunders’ offending, stating that between November 2011 and September 2012, he had sought out and downloaded at least 5,672 indecent images of children.
The judge emphasized that Saunders’ remorse and desire for treatment must be viewed against the backdrop of his repeated offenses and breach of court orders.
Saunders was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison and was issued a new sexual offences prevention order to remain in effect upon his release, reflecting the ongoing risk he poses to the public.
