DEAN BRIANT SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN CHARD
| Red Rose Database
Chard Rapist
In May 2010, a man from Chard named Dean Briant was sentenced to an indeterminate prison term after admitting to serious sexual offences against two young teenage girls. Briant, aged 38 at the time, pleaded guilty to raping a 13-year-old girl, along with 13 other sexual activity offences involving her and another girl aged 14. During proceedings at Taunton Crown Court, it was revealed that the younger victim described Briant’s behavior as making her feel "dirty and horrible."
Judge Graham Hume Jones ordered a sentence that provides public protection, stating that Briant would serve a minimum of five years in prison before being considered for parole. The judge emphasized that he would remain on licence for life should he be released, with the possibility of recalls to prison.
Prosecutor Robert Duval detailed how in May of the previous year, Briant invited the girls to drink alcohol, purchasing vodka-based drinks from a local shop in Chard and instructing them not to tell his wife. He then drove them on a sentimental tour of childhood beauty spots and suggested they have some fun. When the girls asked what he meant, he spelled out the word "sex," but they declined. The girls had consumed all the alcohol, and Briant was observed to have stroked the older girl’s leg, which she reacted to by kicking out. Afterward, both girls disclosed what had happened to family and friends.
The younger girl reported that Briant had engaged in full sexual intercourse with her on "a substantial number of occasions," with her losing count of how many times she was abused. She was described as a reluctant victim who was not a willing participant throughout, and who was threatened with violence — including threats to kill her — if she refused to cooperate. Briant also spoke of a "naughty little secret" and warned her not to tell anyone.
Defence solicitor Ben Tabiner argued that Briant felt deep remorse and expressed a desire to prevent similar incidents from happening again after his release.
The judge criticised Briant’s conduct, stating that he had abused the younger girl purely to satisfy his own sexual desires and that she was not a willing partner. The court noted Briant’s threats of violence and his rewards of money and sweets to her. While acknowledging that Briant’s guilty plea spared the children from giving evidence, the judge described his actions as "brazen." Briant was assessed as carrying a significant risk of serious harm, particularly to girls.
Had Briant gone to trial and been convicted by a jury, the sentence would have been around 15 years. As part of his sentence, Briant was ordered to adhere to a sexual offences prevention order indefinitely and to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.
Judge Graham Hume Jones ordered a sentence that provides public protection, stating that Briant would serve a minimum of five years in prison before being considered for parole. The judge emphasized that he would remain on licence for life should he be released, with the possibility of recalls to prison.
Prosecutor Robert Duval detailed how in May of the previous year, Briant invited the girls to drink alcohol, purchasing vodka-based drinks from a local shop in Chard and instructing them not to tell his wife. He then drove them on a sentimental tour of childhood beauty spots and suggested they have some fun. When the girls asked what he meant, he spelled out the word "sex," but they declined. The girls had consumed all the alcohol, and Briant was observed to have stroked the older girl’s leg, which she reacted to by kicking out. Afterward, both girls disclosed what had happened to family and friends.
The younger girl reported that Briant had engaged in full sexual intercourse with her on "a substantial number of occasions," with her losing count of how many times she was abused. She was described as a reluctant victim who was not a willing participant throughout, and who was threatened with violence — including threats to kill her — if she refused to cooperate. Briant also spoke of a "naughty little secret" and warned her not to tell anyone.
Defence solicitor Ben Tabiner argued that Briant felt deep remorse and expressed a desire to prevent similar incidents from happening again after his release.
The judge criticised Briant’s conduct, stating that he had abused the younger girl purely to satisfy his own sexual desires and that she was not a willing partner. The court noted Briant’s threats of violence and his rewards of money and sweets to her. While acknowledging that Briant’s guilty plea spared the children from giving evidence, the judge described his actions as "brazen." Briant was assessed as carrying a significant risk of serious harm, particularly to girls.
Had Briant gone to trial and been convicted by a jury, the sentence would have been around 15 years. As part of his sentence, Briant was ordered to adhere to a sexual offences prevention order indefinitely and to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.