GAVIN AND STEVEN BROADBENT SENTENCED FOR RAPE IN BILLINGHAM AND STOCKTON

In a harrowing case that has shocked the Teesside community, two teenage brothers, Gavin Broadbent and Steven Broadbent, were sentenced to nine years each after being convicted of raping a 13-year-old girl. The incident took place near Billingham, and the court proceedings revealed the disturbing details of the assault that left the young victim deeply traumatized.

Judge Peter Fox, presiding over Teesside Crown Court, described the attack as one of the most degrading cases he had encountered. He lifted the ban on identifying the brothers, allowing their names and details to be publicly disclosed. Gavin Broadbent, who was pictured in 2012 and is now residing in Stockton, and Steven Broadbent, who was incarcerated in 2012 for burglary, were both found guilty of the heinous crime.

The assault occurred on the evening of June 7 of the previous year. The young girl was out walking her dog in the fields near Billingham when she was unexpectedly approached by the brothers. Court reports indicated that Gavin and Steven were under the influence of a mixture of alcohol and solvents at the time, which contributed to their reckless behavior. The prosecution, led by Christine Egerton, explained that the dog initially reacted aggressively, biting Gavin on the leg, and in response, the brothers snatched the lead from the girl and kicked the dog into the air.

As the girl called for her dog to return home, the brothers turned their attention to her. They forcibly pushed her to the ground, and what followed was a brutal and traumatic assault. Steven Broadbent, aged 17 at the time, was the first to commit the rape, while Gavin, aged 16, held her down. The assault was so severe that the girl, who was a virgin, begged them to stop. Despite her pleas, Gavin threatened her, saying, “Don’t scream or I am going to kill you.”

After the assault, the brothers instructed her to close her eyes. When she opened them later, they had disappeared from the scene. The young girl, covered in blood and visibly distressed, managed to stagger to a neighbor’s house and raised the alarm. Her injuries and the trauma she endured were so severe that she required a general anesthetic for examination by medical professionals.

The police arrested the Broadbent brothers for an unrelated offence, but the victim later identified them during a police identification parade 12 days after the attack. DNA evidence further linked the brothers to the crime, confirming their involvement.

During the court proceedings, Gavin Broadbent’s defense attorney, Paul Newcombe, stated that his client had written an apology and expressed deep shame and disgrace over his actions. Similarly, Steven Broadbent’s lawyer, Nigel Soppitt, acknowledged the gravity of the crime, emphasizing that Steven recognized the shocking nature of what he had done and could offer no explanation for his behavior.

Both brothers pleaded guilty to the charge of rape and were subsequently ordered to register as sex offenders for life. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Billingham and Stockton, highlighting the importance of justice and the protection of vulnerable individuals from such heinous acts.