BRIAN SMALL, PLYMOUTH OFFENDER, SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR ABUSE IN DEVONPORT
In October 2006, Brian Small, an electrician and computer expert residing on Elliot Road, Prince Rock, was sentenced to life imprisonment for a series of horrific sexual offenses spanning over three decades.The court heard how Small, 53 at the time, was a manipulative predator who used his charm and persuasiveness to groom his young victims and their families.
Recorder Michael Vere-Hodge QC described Small as exhibiting the "dangerous qualities of a child abuser by being plausible, persuasive and charming," as he delivered a verdict that reflected the gravity of his crimes.
Small was found guilty by a jury in August on multiple charges, including two counts of indecent assault on a girl under seven, two counts of indecency with a child, two counts of rape of a girl under 16, one of serious sexual assault, and additional charges involving boys under 16.
The court revealed that the offenses took place in various locations, including Plymouth and Germany, during the time Small served in the army.
His disturbing behavior included abusing young girls and boys, with some assaults involving the use of alcohol and exposure to hardcore pornography.
One girl suffered repeated rapes, leading to her becoming pregnant and having an abortion.
Her trauma was highlighted when the judge stated, "You made her life hell.
You deprived her of a very large part of her childhood, and her memories of that time are miserable." Another girl, who was as young as four when abused, was subjected to serious sexual assaults.
The court also heard a harrowing account from a girl who was terrorized into wetting her bed and could not remember all the details of her abuse.
Small’s child victims and their families watched from the public gallery and expressed relief at the sentence.
A mother of one victim commented, "The young children of this area are now going to be safe.
It’s been devastating but now we can move on.
The sentence fits the crime.
He is a very, very clever and sick man who manipulated us." Another mother added, "It’s a great relief and I’m very pleased with the sentence.
People like that don’t deserve to breathe fresh air, in my opinion." The court also found that Small possessed 26 indecent images of children aged 10 to 15, depicting them in explicit sexual poses.
His defense suggested that a boy’s account of abuse was merely "just a bad dream," but the judge dismissed this as "far-fetched," emphasizing that Small’s actions were deliberate and cold-blooded.
Judge Vere-Hodge stated, "My assessment is that you remain, and will remain for many years to come, a danger to young people." As part of his sentence, Small was disqualified from working with children for life.
Detective Constable Joe Pyatt praised the bravery of the victims and witnesses, saying, "I think the judge has done a good thing for the city of Plymouth by taking him off the streets." In an update from November 2015, it was reported that Brian Small was released into the Devonport area.
