BRIAN ANDERTON FROM DEANE SENTENCED TO EIGHT AND A HALF YEARS FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG BOYS

In a case that has spanned over three decades, Brian Anderton, a 48-year-old man from Deane, has been sentenced to a total of eight and a half years in prison for a series of serious sexual offences committed against young boys. The court proceedings revealed the disturbing extent of his crimes, which included not only sexual abuse but also the coercive use of nappies on his victims, a detail that has led to a lifelong ban on him purchasing such items.

Bolton Crown Court heard that the abuse took place between 1980 and 1985, with the victims ranging in age from as young as four to twelve years old. The prosecution, led by Andrew Ford, detailed how Anderton targeted three boys during this period, with the youngest victim being only four years old at the time of the abuse. The most extensively abused victim, who is unable to be named for legal reasons, endured five years of torment, with Anderton calling him “his baby” and repeatedly forcing him to wear nappies, a method of control and humiliation that added a disturbing layer to the offences.

Two counts of gross indecency involved two other boys under the age of 16. In a disturbing pattern, Anderton used sweets as a form of reward to manipulate and groom his victims. One of the victims was assaulted on a golf course, where he was also forced to wear a nappy, and the abuse extended into his home environment as well. The court was told that this particular victim, who was the focus of most of the charges, ran away from Bolton, struggled with suicidal thoughts, and continues to suffer from nightmares related to the abuse.

Remarkably, one of Anderton’s victims reported the abuse to police in the 1990s. Although Anderton initially admitted to the offences, he later denied them, leading to the case being dropped at that time. The victim, who was deeply affected, attempted to take his own life and expressed feelings of guilt, believing he had “done wrong.”

Another victim, who was only four years old at the time of the abuse 28 years ago, was threatened with violence—told that his parents would be killed if he disclosed the crimes. As a result of the trauma, he turned to drugs and alcohol as coping mechanisms.

During the sentencing, David Morton, representing Anderton, described his client as an “extremely sad individual” who perceives himself as a victim. Morton also noted that Anderton appeared to be in better health and cleaner since being remanded in custody, suggesting a possible sense of relief or stability in prison.

However, Judge Peter Davies expressed serious concerns about Anderton’s attitude, stating, “You have no remorse. That concerns me to be anxious about your attitude to offending.” The judge highlighted the disturbing and compelling evidence presented by the victims, emphasizing Anderton’s troubled childhood and bizarre sexual fantasies.

Anderton was sentenced to six years for two counts of gross indecency with a boy under 16, with this sentence running concurrently with twelve other sentences for similar offences. Additionally, he received a 12-month sentence for two further counts of gross indecency and an 18-month term for indecent assault, which will run consecutively to the other sentences. The court also imposed a lifelong sexual offenders’ prevention order, which includes a ban on him ever purchasing nappies again, and a lifetime ban from working with children.

This case underscores the long-lasting impact of childhood abuse and the importance of justice, even when the crimes are committed many years in the past, and highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and protection for vulnerable children in communities like Deane and Bolton.