BRIAN HAMMERSLEY FROM WAVERTREE SENTENCED FOR ABUSING AUTISTIC BOY IN LIVERPOOL

In May 2015, a disturbing case emerged involving Brian Hammersley, a 56-year-old man from Wavertree, Liverpool, who was convicted of heinous crimes against a young boy with Asperger’s syndrome. Hammersley, who had volunteered at a support organization dedicated to helping children with autism, exploited his position of trust to commit multiple acts of sexual assault.

According to court proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court, Hammersley had established a close relationship with the family of the victim during the 1990s. The prosecution, led by Dan Travers, revealed that Hammersley ingratiated himself with the family by volunteering at the autism support group, ostensibly to assist children and their families. However, beneath this facade, he harbored a sexual interest in children, which he acted upon in a calculated and predatory manner.

The court heard that on two separate occasions, Hammersley took the six-year-old boy, who had Asperger’s syndrome, back to his flat without the knowledge or consent of the child's mother. During these visits, he sexually assaulted the young boy, exploiting his vulnerability and trust. At the time of the offenses, Hammersley was 38 years old, and the assaults occurred over a span of three days. The court also noted that Hammersley had a prior criminal record, having served 20 weeks in jail in 2008 for sending pornography to boys aged between 13 and 15. It was further revealed that he had previously targeted a boy with Asperger’s since he was six years old.

Defense attorney Simon Berkson acknowledged that Hammersley’s actions warranted a severe custodial sentence, describing the breach of trust as 'huge.' The court responded by imposing a seven-year prison term, with an additional three years on license, reflecting the gravity of his crimes. Furthermore, Judge Robert Warnock issued an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order against Hammersley to prevent any future offenses.

During sentencing, Judge Warnock expressed his concerns about Hammersley's denial of guilt and his manipulative nature. He emphasized that Hammersley had pretended to be a supportive figure for the victim’s family, while his true motive was to gain access to the child for abuse. The judge highlighted that the victim’s disability and Asperger’s syndrome made him particularly vulnerable, and Hammersley's role as a supposed support worker further betrayed the family’s trust.

Judge Warnock described Hammersley as a dangerous and predatory individual, noting his deviousness and self-delusion. He stated, “You are devious and self-deluded in equal measures. The simple fact is you are a dangerous and predatory paedophile, who poses a high risk of harm to children and in particular those who are less able to fend for themselves.” The court ordered Hammersley to serve four years and eight months in prison, followed by a five-year and four-month period on license.

Expressing admiration for the victim’s bravery, the judge acknowledged the courage it took for the young boy to report the abuse. After the verdict, the victim’s mother told the Liverpool Echo that she hoped other potential victims would come forward to police, emphasizing that no sentence could truly compensate for what her son endured. Detective Chief Inspector John Middleton of Merseyside Police condemned Hammersley's actions, stating that he exploited his volunteer role to abuse the child and cause irreparable harm. Middleton praised the victim’s bravery in coming forward and assured the public that the police would continue to support victims of sexual exploitation, regardless of how much time had passed since the offenses.

He also encouraged the community to learn more about these issues by visiting www.listentomystory.co.uk, reaffirming the police’s commitment to tackling such crimes and protecting vulnerable children from predators like Brian Hammersley.