VINCENT BRADSHAW FROM BRISTOL AND BLACKLEY ESCAPES JAIL AFTER 30-YEAR-OLD CHILD SEX OFFENCES REVEALED

In a case that has spanned over three decades, Vincent Bradshaw, a man with connections to both Blackley and Bristol, was finally brought to justice following a chance encounter that rekindled painful memories for his victim. The incident, which occurred in the late 1970s in Blackley, left a lasting scar on the survivor, who had kept her ordeal secret for many years. Despite the passage of time, her decision to come forward was prompted by a recent sighting of Bradshaw during a visit to Manchester, where he had returned for an event.

Bradshaw, aged 55 at the time of his arrest, was apprehended in March after the victim recognized him. During police interviews, he initially feigned surprise and denial but ultimately admitted to charges of sexual activity with a child and sexual assault. The court proceedings revealed that Bradshaw had lured the young girl into a situation where he could commit these acts, taking advantage of her innocence and trust.

The Manchester Crown Court heard that Bradshaw’s actions had a profound and enduring impact on the victim. Prosecutor Paul McDonald described her as being haunted by the memories, suffering from low self-esteem, insecurity, and mental anguish for many years. He emphasized that her emotional distress was compounded by the fact that she had kept her secret for so long, only deciding to report the matter after her attacker was spotted in Manchester.

McDonald explained that the victim’s fears were not unfounded, as she worried about the safety of other children who might still be vulnerable to Bradshaw’s predatory behavior. Her distress was evident when she learned of his presence in Manchester, which brought back traumatic memories and heightened her concern for others.

The court also considered Bradshaw’s criminal history. In 1994, while living in Bristol, he was convicted of child sex offences after luring two young girls into his home and exposing pornography to another child in a park. Following this conviction, Bradshaw attended a rehabilitation course, which his defense lawyer, Graham Robinson, claimed had provided him with insight and remorse regarding his past actions. Robinson argued that Bradshaw’s guilty pleas demonstrated genuine remorse and an understanding of the damage caused by his behavior.

Furthermore, Robinson stated that there had been no evidence of inappropriate conduct since the 1990s and that Bradshaw had been deeply affected by guilt, which had even led to suicide attempts. Despite this, the court acknowledged the seriousness of his offences and the long-lasting harm inflicted on his victims.

In light of the circumstances, the judge, David Stockdale QC, decided not to impose a custodial sentence, citing ‘exceptional circumstances’ in Bradshaw’s case. Instead, he was sentenced to a three-year supervision order. This included mandatory participation in a sex offenders’ treatment program, registration on the Sex Offenders Register, and regular updates to police regarding his whereabouts. Additionally, a Sexual Offences Prevention Order was issued, prohibiting him from approaching children under the age of 16.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Stockdale emphasized the devastating impact of such crimes on victims. He stated, “These activities have haunted her for many, many years, that is the effect offending of this kind, by adults on children, has on those children. The gratification of the offending is for the moment, the effect on the victim may be indefinite.” The case underscores the importance of vigilance and justice in addressing historic child sexual abuse, even after many years have passed.