LONGTON TAXI DRIVER BRIAN FLETCHER SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN STOKE-ON-TRENT

In November 2010, a disturbing case of child sexual abuse emerged involving Brian Fletcher, a taxi driver from Longton, who was ultimately sentenced to prison for his heinous actions. Fletcher, aged 63 at the time, was found guilty of engaging in a series of sexual offenses against a young girl who was only 12 years old when the abuse began. The court proceedings revealed a pattern of grooming and manipulation carried out by Fletcher over an extended period.

According to the evidence presented at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, Fletcher had established a troubling relationship with his young victim, whom he befriended and took advantage of through a series of calculated gestures. He would pick her up from school in his minibus, a vehicle he used for his taxi services, and some of the abuse occurred during these rides. The court heard that Fletcher would regularly give the girl money and buy her presents, actions that contributed to the grooming process. Additionally, he paid for her to join a gym, where further inappropriate conduct took place.

The case came to light when Fletcher asked a colleague to help fix his computer. During this process, files stored on the computer were transferred onto an iPod, which Fletcher then sold. The buyer of the iPod discovered indecent photographs stored on the device, some of which included images of the young girl. This discovery prompted police involvement. Prosecutor Neil Ahuja explained that the police found images on Fletcher’s computer, which included both lawful photographs of the girl and a small number of illegal images. The illegal images were classified as level one, indicating the least severe category of indecency, but their presence was enough to warrant serious charges.

Fletcher’s defense, represented by Joanne Wallbanks, acknowledged that he had no previous convictions. She explained that his actions occurred during a difficult period in his life, marked by his wife’s illness, the breakdown of his marriage, and financial difficulties, including bankruptcy. Despite this, she emphasized that Fletcher did not justify his behavior and recognized the gravity of his offenses.

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones sentenced Fletcher to eight years in prison, citing the high risk he posed to children and the need to protect the public. The judge described the abuse as sustained and repetitive, occurring over a significant period and in various locations. He also expressed concern over Fletcher’s apparent attempt to shift some blame onto the victim, which indicated a troubling level of denial. Fletcher was ordered to serve four years behind bars, followed by four years on license. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and prohibited from working with children. The court deducted the 222 days Fletcher had already spent in remand from his sentence, ensuring that his time in custody was appropriately accounted for.