BRIAN ANDREW GODWIN SHOCK READING SEX ABUSE CASE REVEALS HORRORS OF 1980S CRIMES

In a disturbing case that has resurfaced decades after the crimes occurred, two brothers from Reading have been sentenced for their involvement in a series of heinous sexual assaults against a young girl during the early 1980s. The court proceedings, held at Reading Crown Court, shed light on a long-standing trauma inflicted upon the victim, who was only 12 years old at the time.

According to the prosecution, the abuse began between October 31, 1980, and November 1, 1981, with one of the brothers, Brian Godwin, now aged 46, committing a series of sexual offenses against the girl. The court heard that on the same day he first assaulted her, Brian went further and raped her. The assaults did not stop there; between that period and 1985, Brian was charged with three additional counts of rape, indicating a pattern of predatory behavior that spanned several years.

Brian Godwin admitted to committing indecent assault and was also charged with four counts of rape. His brother, Andrew Godwin, aged 47, pleaded guilty to the charge of indecent assault. During the court session, the prosecutor, Iain Wicks, detailed the horrifying circumstances of the crimes. He explained that the girl had gone to bed when the brothers entered her bedroom. Andrew held her down and covered her mouth to silence her, while Brian engaged in sexual intercourse with her. The court was told that Brian Godwin continued to visit the girl almost nightly over the years, engaging in sexual acts with her, which compounded the trauma she endured.

The victim kept her ordeal a secret for many years, only confiding in her sister much later. The court heard that the long-term impact of these crimes was devastating for her. In sentencing, the judge, Recorder Lawrence West, QC, acknowledged the severity of the offenses and their terrible consequences on the young girl.

Brian Godwin’s mental health was also a significant aspect of the case. The court was informed that he was already detained at Littlemore Mental Health Centre in Oxford in 2002 for sexual offenses involving a 13-year-old girl. Dr. Giri Jayawant provided expert testimony, stating her professional opinion that Brian should be detained under the Mental Health Act in a hospital setting, given the nature of his mental health and criminal history. As part of his sentence, Brian was given a section 37 detention order, which restricts his release and places him in a medium secure psychiatric facility.

Andrew Godwin, who was living on Tilehurst Road in West Reading at the time of sentencing, had a prior conviction from 2002 for sexual assaults involving a 16-year-old girl. He was ordered to complete a rehabilitation course for sexual offenders. His defense, represented by Miss Yeatman, acknowledged that Andrew was between 15 and 16 years old when the offenses took place. She described her client as remorseful, recognizing that his actions were “terrible” and “a disgrace.”

During the sentencing, the judge noted that Andrew had to confront his family and friends about his offenses after completing the rehabilitation course. Despite his claims of ignorance about his brother’s intentions, the court was not convinced. Recorder West stated, “I rather think you did know what your brother was going to do.” As a result, Andrew was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, accompanied by a supervision order to monitor his conduct and rehabilitation efforts moving forward.