SIMON GOSLING FROM BARNET SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF TWO SISTERS

In June 2009, a disturbing case involving a man from Barnet, Simon Gosling, came to a close as he was sentenced to four years in prison for the sexual abuse of two young sisters over a period of several years. Gosling, aged 33 and residing in Westbrooke Square, Barnet, admitted to the heinous acts, which began with the younger girl when she was only nine years old in 2004. His abuse then escalated to include more serious assaults on her older sister starting in 2007.

Both victims, whose identities remain protected, have endured significant emotional trauma as a result of Gosling’s actions. Since coming forward with their allegations, they have faced not only the psychological scars but also verbal abuse and physical bullying at their school, highlighting the profound impact of the abuse on their daily lives.

Gosling’s mental health deteriorated following the revelations, leading him to suffer a nervous breakdown and contemplate suicide. He eventually confided in a psychiatric nurse at Barnet Hospital, which contributed to his guilty plea. His admission came three days into a trial at Wood Green Crown Court in May, just before the victims were scheduled to testify, marking a pivotal moment in the case.

During the court proceedings, Judge Anna Guggenheim QC acknowledged the severe and lasting effects of Gosling’s actions on the victims. She described them as “courageous girls” who demonstrated remarkable strength of character in facing the trial. The judge emphasized that, beyond the physical violations, the girls would carry the memory of their distress and disgust for the rest of their lives. She also noted the additional hardships they faced, including being doubted by friends and experiencing setbacks in their education due to the trauma inflicted upon them.

Gosling’s guilty plea to nine charges was a significant development in the case. His family members, including his girlfriend who resides in Australia, attended the court to support him, despite the gravity of the charges. Following his sentencing, Judge Guggenheim ordered Gosling to be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and prohibited him from working with or having any unsupervised contact with children.

The girls’ mother, present in court during the sentencing, expressed relief that Gosling would no longer be around children. She stated, “Any time was going to be a bonus, but knowing he can’t be around children again is the best part. My girls were worried about that, that he could do it to other kids.” She also shared that her daughters continue to receive counseling and experience fluctuating emotional states. She described the situation as “really horrible” and hoped that the legal outcome would bring some sense of closure. However, she acknowledged that the possibility of Gosling’s early release in two years could still cause concern for her daughters, but she was grateful they had spoken out before the abuse could escalate further.