MERVYN BRAMHALL'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN SHEFFIELD: SEX OFFENDER ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE FINDINGS OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND FRAUD
| Red Rose Database
Sheffield Rapist
In a recent case heard at Sheffield Crown Court, 75-year-old Mervyn Bramall, a registered sex offender with a criminal history dating back to 1975, was found to possess disturbing material on his electronic devices but was ultimately spared immediate imprisonment. The police executed a routine visit to Bramall’s residence on February 4, 2021, at his home on Swinburne Place, Herringthorpe. During this visit, officers observed Bramall watching a YouTube video on his kitchen table, which led to further investigation.
Upon examining his belongings, law enforcement officials discovered a laptop containing highly incriminating evidence. Among the files found were two particularly alarming titles: “My Best Paedo” and “Kiddy porn,” the latter stored on a USB device. Police also uncovered 17 inaccessible indecent images on the computer, categorized into different levels of severity: four at Category A, indicating the most extreme content, seven at Category B, and six at Category C. The investigation revealed that Bramall had viewed an image depicting a child aged 11 or younger being raped by an adult male, a fact that added gravity to the case.
Prosecutor Daniel Ingham detailed the findings to the court, emphasizing that Bramall’s actions involved downloading and viewing child abuse material for personal gratification. Bramall’s guilty plea to making indecent images of children was noted, and the court was informed that he had a long-standing history of offenses, with previous convictions for indecency and assault against young girls under the age of 14. Despite the severity of his past, Bramall had managed to stay out of trouble since his last conviction, which occurred 16 years prior.
Defense counsel Chris Aspinall argued that Bramall, who resides in Herringthorpe, was suffering from health issues and that the number of images found was relatively small compared to his previous convictions. Nevertheless, Judge Sarah Wright acknowledged Bramall’s guilty plea and his recent good behavior, noting that he had not committed any new offenses since February of the previous year.
However, the judge emphasized the seriousness of Bramall’s actions, stating, “You pleaded guilty to making the images that you downloaded from the internet for your own gratification.” As a result, Bramall was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 55 days of rehabilitation and attend 43 sessions of sex offender treatment, reflecting the court’s focus on both punishment and rehabilitation.
In a separate incident dating back to June 2006, Bramall, then aged 59, was involved in a series of criminal activities that included fleeing the UK after defrauding a man of £7,000 under false pretenses. The court heard that Bramall, who had no fixed address at the time, was first arrested in June 2004 when police found nearly 500 images of young girls on his computer during a raid at the home of another suspected paedophile in South Yorkshire. Following his release on bail, Bramall exploited a man’s trust by promising to carry out building work and then absconded with the money, traveling first to Amsterdam and later to Thailand.
He returned to the UK when his funds were depleted and was promptly re-arrested. Bramall admitted to 12 counts of possessing indecent images of children and one count of theft, along with failing to notify authorities of his address and leaving the country illegally. Judge Simon Lawler QC sentenced him to six years and five months in prison. The judge also imposed strict restrictions, including a ban on Bramall possessing a mobile phone or computer and prohibiting him from giving a phone to any girl under 16. He was further instructed not to allow minors into his home.
Judge Lawler delivered a stern warning, stating, “I had the misfortune to view the images, which are all photographs of unspeakable depravity featuring girls, sometimes very young girls, with men. The courts have repeatedly emphasized that such material encourages the exploitation and degradation of children. The increasing number of cases involving this type of material reflects the seriousness with which the justice system treats these offenses.”
He concluded by noting that Bramall’s failure to notify authorities of his whereabouts and his criminal conduct demonstrated a blatant disregard for legal obligations. Bramall will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring due to the severity of his crimes and the potential risk to the community.
Upon examining his belongings, law enforcement officials discovered a laptop containing highly incriminating evidence. Among the files found were two particularly alarming titles: “My Best Paedo” and “Kiddy porn,” the latter stored on a USB device. Police also uncovered 17 inaccessible indecent images on the computer, categorized into different levels of severity: four at Category A, indicating the most extreme content, seven at Category B, and six at Category C. The investigation revealed that Bramall had viewed an image depicting a child aged 11 or younger being raped by an adult male, a fact that added gravity to the case.
Prosecutor Daniel Ingham detailed the findings to the court, emphasizing that Bramall’s actions involved downloading and viewing child abuse material for personal gratification. Bramall’s guilty plea to making indecent images of children was noted, and the court was informed that he had a long-standing history of offenses, with previous convictions for indecency and assault against young girls under the age of 14. Despite the severity of his past, Bramall had managed to stay out of trouble since his last conviction, which occurred 16 years prior.
Defense counsel Chris Aspinall argued that Bramall, who resides in Herringthorpe, was suffering from health issues and that the number of images found was relatively small compared to his previous convictions. Nevertheless, Judge Sarah Wright acknowledged Bramall’s guilty plea and his recent good behavior, noting that he had not committed any new offenses since February of the previous year.
However, the judge emphasized the seriousness of Bramall’s actions, stating, “You pleaded guilty to making the images that you downloaded from the internet for your own gratification.” As a result, Bramall was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 55 days of rehabilitation and attend 43 sessions of sex offender treatment, reflecting the court’s focus on both punishment and rehabilitation.
In a separate incident dating back to June 2006, Bramall, then aged 59, was involved in a series of criminal activities that included fleeing the UK after defrauding a man of £7,000 under false pretenses. The court heard that Bramall, who had no fixed address at the time, was first arrested in June 2004 when police found nearly 500 images of young girls on his computer during a raid at the home of another suspected paedophile in South Yorkshire. Following his release on bail, Bramall exploited a man’s trust by promising to carry out building work and then absconded with the money, traveling first to Amsterdam and later to Thailand.
He returned to the UK when his funds were depleted and was promptly re-arrested. Bramall admitted to 12 counts of possessing indecent images of children and one count of theft, along with failing to notify authorities of his address and leaving the country illegally. Judge Simon Lawler QC sentenced him to six years and five months in prison. The judge also imposed strict restrictions, including a ban on Bramall possessing a mobile phone or computer and prohibiting him from giving a phone to any girl under 16. He was further instructed not to allow minors into his home.
Judge Lawler delivered a stern warning, stating, “I had the misfortune to view the images, which are all photographs of unspeakable depravity featuring girls, sometimes very young girls, with men. The courts have repeatedly emphasized that such material encourages the exploitation and degradation of children. The increasing number of cases involving this type of material reflects the seriousness with which the justice system treats these offenses.”
He concluded by noting that Bramall’s failure to notify authorities of his whereabouts and his criminal conduct demonstrated a blatant disregard for legal obligations. Bramall will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring due to the severity of his crimes and the potential risk to the community.