JAMES BRADFORD FROM SUNDERLAND SENTENCED FOR SEAFRONT RAPE IN HENDON
In a case that has shocked the Sunderland community, James Bradford, a man with a troubling history of sexual offenses, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of raping a schoolgirl during an incident at the Sunderland seafront in Hendon.The attack, which took place in the 1990s, involved Bradford offering the young girl a lift home, only to pull over near the beach at Hendon and commit the assault.
According to court proceedings, Bradford, who was driving his car at the time, stopped the vehicle in a location close to the shoreline.
Instead of continuing to her residence, he pulled over and parked.
The victim, who was sitting in the passenger seat, recounted that Bradford then moved around to her side of the car, laid the seat back, and proceeded to assault her.
During the attack, Bradford warned her that what he was doing should remain a secret, emphasizing the need for silence about the incident.
The victim, who endured the trauma in silence for over twenty years, was compelled to relive her ordeal when she was called to give evidence in court.
Despite her silence for many years, she finally found the courage to speak out, leading to Bradford’s conviction.
He faced multiple charges, including two counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault related to this victim.
The jury found him guilty after a trial, rejecting his claims that the allegations were fabricated.
Bradford, now aged 70, of Amalfi Towers in Sunderland, was also convicted of another sexual assault that occurred in the 1980s involving a different young girl.
During the trial, he maintained that his victims had fabricated their stories, but the court did not accept this defense.
The court heard that Bradford’s actions left both victims psychologically scarred, with lasting trauma that has affected their lives profoundly.
Judge Edward Bindloss sentenced Bradford to ten years and six months in prison, with the requirement to register as a sex offender for life.
The judge described the impact of the sentence, noting that Bradford’s health issues, including a recent heart attack requiring surgery, would make his imprisonment particularly difficult.
He emphasized that Bradford’s age and health would influence the severity of the sentence’s effect.
During the sentencing, Bradford’s defense attorney, Glenn Gatland, mentioned that Bradford’s wife continues to stand by him, despite the convictions.
The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of Bradford’s crimes and the lasting damage inflicted upon his victims, highlighting the ongoing importance of justice for those affected by sexual violence.
