DAVID BOTTOMLEY FROM SOUTHPORT SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES AND VIOLENCE IN LIVERPOOL CROWN COURT

In April 2022, a disturbing case unfolded at Liverpool Crown Court involving David Bottomley, a man with ties to Southport, who was convicted of heinous sexual offences and violent assaults. The proceedings revealed a troubling history of abuse, deception, and violence that shocked the community and left lasting scars on his victims.

David Bottomley, aged 58, portrayed himself during court proceedings as a man dedicated to public service, citing his work at a YMCA, as a coastguard, and as a prison security officer. Despite these claims, the court uncovered a dark reality: Bottomley was a violent and abusive individual, a rapist and paedophile who had inflicted suffering on at least two women, including a schoolgirl who is now an adult.

The court heard that Bottomley's criminal conduct spanned several years, beginning with a historic sexual offence against a woman, which would today be classified as rape. Prosecutor Robert Dudley detailed that during one incident, Bottomley used a karate kick to strike the woman’s jaw while wearing steel toe-capped boots, causing her significant pain and injury. This assault was part of a pattern of violent behaviour that the court described as deeply disturbing.

The first victim did not report her abuse until 2017, when she was prompted by a television programme. Watching an episode of BBC Crimewatch, she was triggered by a question about individuals involved in child sexual abuse or those who had contact with children. This emotional response led her to write a letter to her mother, whom she had never confided in before, and ultimately to contact the police. When questioned, she disclosed that Bottomley had raped her when she was approximately 12 years old.

Subsequently, the second victim, a woman who was then a schoolgirl, also came forward. Her allegations, along with the first victim’s account, formed the basis of the trial. Bottomley denied all allegations, forcing both women to give evidence in court during a trial held in January. The jury found him guilty of the historic sex offence and of assault causing actual bodily harm against the first woman.

During the sentencing, the court heard emotional victim statements. The first woman described how Bottomley's actions had permanently destroyed her trust in others, leaving her feeling damaged, spoiled, and degraded. In her victim statement, she harshly condemned him, saying, “You’re a bully and a coward. Some people might say you’re an animal, but that would be an insult to animals… You’re a monster and what nightmares are made of.”

Bottomley was convicted of multiple charges, including rape, indecency with a child, and two counts of indecent assault against the schoolgirl. She expressed that the trauma inflicted by Bottomley would stay with her for the rest of her life. Despite these convictions, he was acquitted of two other sex assaults on the schoolgirl and three additional sex offences involving two other girls.

As the verdicts were read, Bottomley collapsed in the dock, requiring assistance from security staff before being taken away by ambulance to a hospital. The judge, David Aubrey, QC, ordered a medical report, noting that Bottomley had a history of minor strokes, which could have contributed to his collapse.

Judge Aubrey described Bottomley as a “violent and abusive” man whose sexual assault on the woman left her feeling sick, violated, and humiliated. He recounted an incident where Bottomley kicked the woman in the jaw with steel toe-capped boots, describing the pain as excruciating and believing her jaw might have been broken. The judge emphasized that Bottomley's abuse of the schoolgirl involved manipulation, including giving her money afterward, which compounded the trauma.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Aubrey stated that Bottomley had left his victims scarred for life, effectively imposing a lifelong sentence on each. He criticized Bottomley's lack of remorse, highlighting that the defendant had pleaded not guilty, forcing the victims to relive their ordeals during the trial. The judge also pointed out that Bottomley's evidence appeared rehearsed and dishonest, aimed at manipulating the court and the evidence presented.

Bottomley was sentenced to four years in prison for the assault on the woman, with an additional consecutive ten-year sentence for the abuse of the schoolgirl. An extended one-year license period was also imposed, categorizing him as an “offender of particular concern.” The combined sentences mean that Bottomley will serve at least eight years and eight months before being eligible for parole. Furthermore, he was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Following the sentencing, Bottomley's girlfriend was seen leaving the court, dismissing the proceedings with a dismissive comment, “Utter joke,” as she told two companions to “come on, let’s go.” The case has left a profound impact on the victims and the community, highlighting the importance of justice and the ongoing fight against abuse and violence.