DAVID BROOM SENTENCED IN MERTHYR TYDFIL FOR 14-YEAR ABUSE CAMPAIGN AGAINST CHILDREN

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Merthyr Tydfil, a man named David Broom has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after being convicted of a prolonged and systematic campaign of sexual abuse against three young girls. The offenses spanned over a period of more than a decade, beginning on March 19, 1974, and concluding on August 30, 1988, and took place within the town of Merthyr Tydfil, specifically involving the area of Cross Blanche Street, Dowlais.

David Broom, aged 64 at the time of sentencing, faced a total of 25 charges. These included 16 counts of indecent assault, eight counts of rape, and one count of attempted indecent assault. Throughout the trial, Broom vehemently denied all allegations, insisting on his innocence. Despite his denials, the jury swiftly reached a unanimous verdict of guilt on each count within a matter of hours. Many of the charges were representative of a pattern of conduct that persisted over many years, illustrating the extent of his alleged abuse.

The court heard that Broom targeted two of the victims repeatedly, while the third girl was assaulted only once, which was described as an incident that occurred by mistake. The victims, whose identities are protected for legal reasons, came forward after years of silence, revealing the profound and lasting impact of the abuse on their lives. The judge presiding over the case, Recorder of Cardiff Judge Eleri Rees, addressed Broom directly, condemning his actions. She stated, “This was a campaign of abuse against two vulnerable children. You robbed them of their innocence and childhood. You left indelible memories that have haunted them into adulthood. The abuse ruined their lives.”

Judge Rees also acknowledged the significant delay in bringing the case to court, attributing it to the victims’ feelings of fear and shame, which Broom had exploited to maintain control over them. Elizabeth Pearson, the prosecutor representing Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, detailed the severe consequences faced by at least one of the victims. She explained that the victim had sought medical and psychiatric assistance due to the trauma inflicted by Broom’s actions, describing her as having her life “totally destroyed” by the abuse.

Ms. Pearson further revealed that Broom was a controlling and aggressive individual who used threats and intimidation to silence his victims. One of the most disturbing aspects of the case was that Broom began abusing one of the girls when she was just five years old. The abuse often took place in remote locations, with Broom taking her out in his car to secluded areas where he would commit the assaults. The victim kept her suffering hidden for many years, unable to confide in anyone due to the fear of repercussions.

The court heard that Broom’s manipulative tactics extended beyond the initial abuse. He attempted to continue his assault on the same girl after she had given birth and was married, threatening to report her to social services and claim she was an unfit mother if she ever disclosed the abuse. This blackmail kept her silent for years, compounding the trauma she endured.

During the trial, one of the victims broke down emotionally while recounting her experiences, describing her fear and the violence she associated with Broom. The court was also informed that some of the abuse against the two victims overlapped, with the second girl enduring multiple rapes over the years.

Defense attorney Dyfed Thomas argued that Broom was not in good health and pointed out that the abuse had ceased approximately 20 years prior to the trial. Despite this, the court ordered Broom to register as a sex offender for life. He will be eligible for release after serving two-thirds of his sentence, although he may be considered for parole after serving half of the term, depending on his behavior and rehabilitation progress.