PHILIP ERBY FROM BRADFORD JAILED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN BRADFORD COURT
| Red Rose Database
Bradford Sexual Abuser
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Bradford community, Philip Erby, a 50-year-old man with a history of military service, has been sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of multiple charges related to child sexual abuse. The sentencing followed a detailed and emotionally charged trial at Bradford Crown Court, where the jury found him guilty of eight counts of indecent assault and three counts of indecency with a child.
Erby, who served in the RAF and had been stationed in locations such as the Falklands, Northern Ireland, and Cyprus, showed no visible emotion as the verdicts were read. The court heard that he had concealed a dark secret for over two decades, during which he sexually abused four young girls while on leave from his military duties. The abuse spanned from the late 1970s until 1991, with one victim recounting her suffering from the age of eight until she was 13.
The judge, Jonathan Durham Hall QC, addressed Erby directly, acknowledging his otherwise impeccable life and dedication to his country. He noted that witnesses had described Erby as a man of high morals and principles, which made his actions all the more reprehensible. The judge emphasized that Erby, as a mature young man, had taken advantage of his position and the vulnerability of young girls, grooming and molesting them during his leave periods.
One particularly distressing aspect of the case involved a young girl who was left scarred by her traumatic experience. The court also heard that Erby had given gifts to some of his victims, further manipulating them before abusing their trust. The judge described the abuse as not merely experimentation but as deliberate grooming, which caused lasting damage to the victims’ lives. He highlighted that the abuse had a profound and permanent impact, especially on one girl’s formative years, and that the effects of his actions continue to be felt.
During the proceedings, the court was told that police involvement was triggered after one victim’s partner confronted Erby at his home in Bradford, following her disclosure of the abuse. Despite denying all charges and claiming the allegations were fabricated, Erby was ultimately convicted by the jury. The guilty verdicts left his family visibly distressed; his stepdaughter was seen sobbing and clinging to his aunt, shouting, “I’ll look after Mum.”
Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Chris Stones of the Bradford Child and Public Protection Unit expressed that the case would bring some measure of closure for the victims. He reaffirmed the police’s commitment to pursuing justice regardless of how long ago the offences occurred, sending a clear message that offenders can expect to be held accountable at any time. The case underscores the importance of believing and supporting victims of child abuse, ensuring they are treated with dignity and their allegations are taken seriously, no matter the circumstances or the passage of time.
Erby, who served in the RAF and had been stationed in locations such as the Falklands, Northern Ireland, and Cyprus, showed no visible emotion as the verdicts were read. The court heard that he had concealed a dark secret for over two decades, during which he sexually abused four young girls while on leave from his military duties. The abuse spanned from the late 1970s until 1991, with one victim recounting her suffering from the age of eight until she was 13.
The judge, Jonathan Durham Hall QC, addressed Erby directly, acknowledging his otherwise impeccable life and dedication to his country. He noted that witnesses had described Erby as a man of high morals and principles, which made his actions all the more reprehensible. The judge emphasized that Erby, as a mature young man, had taken advantage of his position and the vulnerability of young girls, grooming and molesting them during his leave periods.
One particularly distressing aspect of the case involved a young girl who was left scarred by her traumatic experience. The court also heard that Erby had given gifts to some of his victims, further manipulating them before abusing their trust. The judge described the abuse as not merely experimentation but as deliberate grooming, which caused lasting damage to the victims’ lives. He highlighted that the abuse had a profound and permanent impact, especially on one girl’s formative years, and that the effects of his actions continue to be felt.
During the proceedings, the court was told that police involvement was triggered after one victim’s partner confronted Erby at his home in Bradford, following her disclosure of the abuse. Despite denying all charges and claiming the allegations were fabricated, Erby was ultimately convicted by the jury. The guilty verdicts left his family visibly distressed; his stepdaughter was seen sobbing and clinging to his aunt, shouting, “I’ll look after Mum.”
Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Chris Stones of the Bradford Child and Public Protection Unit expressed that the case would bring some measure of closure for the victims. He reaffirmed the police’s commitment to pursuing justice regardless of how long ago the offences occurred, sending a clear message that offenders can expect to be held accountable at any time. The case underscores the importance of believing and supporting victims of child abuse, ensuring they are treated with dignity and their allegations are taken seriously, no matter the circumstances or the passage of time.