COLIN BROOKS, FORMER SURREY HEAD TEACHER, SENTENCED IN GUILDFORD FOR DECADES-LONG CHILD SEX ABUSE
A former head teacher from Surrey, Colin Brooks, aged 77, has been sentenced to prison after a court case that took over thirty years to resolve.The conviction follows his sexual abuse of a young girl multiple times during the 1980s, with the incidents spanning three years.
The judge described the assaults as happening "at every opportunity" during that period.
Brooks pleaded guilty to seven counts of indecent assault admitting to the charges after denying the allegations initially and claiming she was fabricating the abuse.
During the sentencing at Guildford Crown Court on Monday, May 17, it was revealed that the abuse began when the victim was a teenager, with an incident occurring during a car ride.
Prosecutor Adrian Fleming described how Brooks placed his hand on her to keep it on his leg, then moved her hand close to his groin, where she noticed he was aroused.
Fleming added, "Brooks parked the vehicle, unzipped his pants, and placed her hand on his genitals, then continued driving afterward." He warned her to keep the secret, saying, "this is our secret, don’t tell anyone," while making threats, including that telling her mother could lead to her being sent away or placed into care.
Over the course of three years, the abuse intensified, with Brooks kissing the girl, touching her breasts, and forcing her to perform oral sex, among other acts.
The court heard that Brooks visited her house and entered her bedroom under the pretence of saying goodnight, allegedly showing her how to give him pleasure.
The victim, who was present at the court, delivered an emotional statement describing how the abuse profoundly disrupted her childhood and forced her to mature prematurely.
She expressed a desire to move on but explained she only disclosed the abuse after a former partner’s allegations indirectly implicated Brooks.
Following police interviews in late 2018 and early 2019, Brooks was arrested.
He initially denied the charges but later pleaded guilty to all seven counts.
His lawyer, John Price QC, acknowledged Brooks’s remorse and regret for his earlier denials.
Judge Jonathan Black highlighted how Brooks exploited the victim’s vulnerability and caused significant psychological harm, mentioning symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and dissociative disorder.
Detective Constable Rachel Moss reiterated the seriousness of the betrayal of trust involved and expressed hope that victims feel assured their claims are taken seriously.
An NSPCC spokesperson emphasised the importance of providing support to survivors regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred and encouraged victims to come forward with confidence.
