BRIAN GREGORY CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN COUNTY DOWN: SHOCKING CASE OF FOSTER FATHER'S CRIME
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of County Down, Brian Gregory, a 71-year-old former security guard residing on Main Street in Conlig, has been sentenced to five years in prison for sexually abusing a young girl in his care.The abuse, which spanned several years, began when the girl was just five years old, and the gravity of the breach of trust was emphasized during the court proceedings.
Gregory pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including five counts of indecent assault, two counts of gross indecency, and one charge of inciting a child to commit an act of gross indecency.
Notably, he denied a separate charge of rape, which the prosecution chose not to pursue.
The court sentenced him to serve four years behind bars, with an additional year on probation, reflecting the severity of his crimes.
The offences took place over a period from October 1984 to October 1991, a span of nearly seven years.
During this time, Gregory was entrusted with the care of the young girl, who was fostered to live with him, his wife, and their two young children.
The judge highlighted the profound breach of trust involved, noting that the girl, now a 36-year-old married woman, had regarded Gregory as her father during her childhood.
During police interviews conducted in February 2015, the victim recounted that the abuse occurred both at the family home and at a caravan.
She was accompanied by her ex-boyfriend when she confronted Gregory at his residence about the allegations.
His response was chilling; he reportedly told her, “I knew that this complaint was coming.” Despite Gregory being placed on the sex offenders register and being barred from working with children and vulnerable adults, the court did not find it appropriate to impose a Sexual Offenders Prevention Order (SOPO).
The judge, Fowler QC, explained that given the considerable time elapsed since the offences and the absence of any subsequent offending, such an order was unnecessary.
Additionally, the prosecution's request for a restraining order against Gregory was also rejected, underscoring the court’s assessment of the case and the defendant’s current circumstances.
