CHRISTOPHER GOULDSBROUGH SHOCKINGLY ATTACKS 14-YEAR-OLD IN BATH AND TROWBRIDGE

A man named Christopher Gouldsbrough has been sentenced to three years in prison after engaging in a disturbing sexual assault against a 14-year-old girl in Bath and Trowbridge. The incident happened against the backdrop of what was supposed to be a night of innocent babysitting, but it took a dark turn that has left lasting scars on the victim.

According to court testimony, Gouldsbrough's offense occurred at his residence in Trowbridge in August of the previous year. The teenage girl, who was babysitting a child for Gouldsbrough’s partner, was allowed to stay overnight after completing her duties. The night took a sinister turn after Gouldsbrough and his partner went upstairs and went to bed, leaving the girl to sleep on the sofa in the living room.

Approximately fifteen minutes after they had gone to bed, Gouldsbrough returned downstairs claiming he was fetching water. Instead of returning to his bedroom, he approached the girl and sat beside her. The court heard that he then began to illegally touch her, putting his hands inside her shorts. The girl, feeling uncomfortable and frightened, told him to stop, to which Gouldsbrough allegedly responded with persistent questioning, asking her if she was sure she wanted him to stop. She repeatedly expressed her desire for him to cease, but he continued.

The prosecution explained that, although Gouldsbrough appeared to seek her consent, the girl did not actually give it. The court was told that there might have been a misunderstanding, implying that Gouldsbrough may have mistakenly believed she was consenting, but the girl clearly stated that what was happening was wrong and demanded he stop. Despite her pleas, Gouldsbrough did not halt his actions, and he proceeded to have sexual intercourse with her.

During questioning, Gouldsbrough refused to respond to inquiries regarding the event. The aftermath of the assault was particularly distressing for the teenager, who feared she might be pregnant and subsequently turned to self-harming behaviors as a way to cope with her trauma.

Gouldsbrough, who was formerly residing in Melksham but had recently moved to Freeview Road in Bath, faced charges of rape and sexual assault of a minor. Initially, the case was set to go to trial, but before the jury was selected on Monday, Gouldsbrough entered a guilty plea to the charge of sexual activity with a child.

In his defense, Robin Shellard stated that Gouldsbrough deeply regretted his actions and accepted responsibility for what had occurred on that drunken night. The defense argued that the incident had led Gouldsbrough to be ostracized by his friends, lose his partner, and also lose his job as a bar manager in Bath. Shellard emphasized that the man who appeared in court was a broken and remorseful individual, far from the person he had been.

Judge Tim Mousley QC sentenced Gouldsbrough to three years in prison, but also imposed additional restrictions to prevent further harm. The court issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order that prohibits Gouldsbrough from contacting or approaching the girl for the next ten years.

A spokesperson for the NSPCC in South West England expressed concern over the impact of Gouldsbrough’s actions, stating that he had appropriately been punished for his heinous assault on a vulnerable juvenile. The NSPCC highlighted the importance of providing support to victims, acknowledging that such abuse not only ruins childhoods but can also have long-lasting consequences into adulthood. They emphasized that Gouldsbrough had exploited the victim’s trust despite her repeated pleas for him to stop, and that society must remain vigilant against such predatory behavior.

This case underscores the devastating effects that abuse can have on young victims and the importance of justice and prevention in safeguarding children from harm.