EDMONTON MAN BRIAN MASLIN SENTENCED FOR DECADES-OLD INDECENT ASSAULT ON 4-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN WOOD GREEN

In a case that has spanned over four decades, Brian Maslin, an 80-year-old resident of Edmonton, was sentenced to four years in prison for the indecent assault of a young girl. The disturbing incident, which took place in 1974, was brought to light during a recent court hearing at Wood Green Crown Court, revealing a long history of alleged abuse.

According to court records, Maslin committed the heinous act at a football ground associated with Tottenham Hotspur, commonly known as Spurs. On that day, he used a false pretext to lure the four-year-old girl, who was the daughter of his close friend's family. Once alone, Maslin exposed himself and engaged in sexual misconduct by making the child lick and suck his erect penis. The court heard that this act was carried out under threats, with Maslin warning the girl that if she told anyone, her father would be imprisoned. This intimidation prevented her from reporting the abuse for many years.

The victim, who is now an adult, finally disclosed the abuse only after her father's death. She continues to suffer from nightmares related to the trauma she endured as a child. The court was informed that the delay in reporting was largely due to Maslin's threats and manipulations, which kept her silent for decades.

During the sentencing, the judge expressed strong disapproval of Maslin's actions and his attempt to conceal his misconduct behind a facade of good character. The judge stated that Maslin did not receive any mitigation for his guilty plea, emphasizing that his reputation as a man of good standing was a false image. The court noted that if Maslin had been prosecuted under the 2003 Sexual Offences Act for rape, he could have faced a sentence of up to 14 years. However, due to the nature of the offence and the passage of time, the maximum available sentence was five years for indecent assault.

The judge acknowledged the significant delay in bringing the case to court, attributing it to Maslin's own actions, including threats made to the young girl. Despite his age and medical conditions, including strokes and frailty, the court considered the impact of his incarceration on him and others. It was also noted that Maslin no longer posed a danger to children, given the elapsed time and his current health status.

As part of his sentence, Maslin will serve two-thirds of the four-year term and will be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life. The court's decision reflects the seriousness of the offence, the harm caused to the victim, and the need for ongoing public safety measures.