Bradford man, 64, jailed over sexual assaults on young children

Brian Wylie, of Clayton Road, Clayton, appeared via video link at Bradford Crown Court to be sentenced for a total of five charges, including indecent assault and gross indecency of a child under the age of 14, and sexual assault of a child under the age of 13.

Wylie was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment in total with a three-year extended licence period.

He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order until further notice and must register as a sex offender indefinitely.

Prosecutor David McGonigal outlined how the 64-year-old had admitted three historic offences.

One victim was so young they didn’t know what he was asking them to do was wrong, the prosecutor told the court.

Bradford Crown Court where the sentencing hearing took place (Image: Newsquest)

He had faced a trial on further charges, and had been found guilty in March of two counts of sexual assault of a child.

His three victims were said to have suffered long-lasting trauma as a result of the attacks, including incidents of self-harm and struggling with an eating disorder.

Judge Colin Burn said in sentencing: “The effect of your offending has been long lasting.

“They have caused significant emotional disorientation to children and therefore also trauma which is likely to be long-lasting.”

Of his first victim, the Judge said: “In cases of this type it is relatively unusual for an offender of your type to come forward in this way and to make those admissions.”

Allan Armbrister, for Wylie, referred to issues that the defendant raised when his pre-sentence report was being compiled, but he did not go into further detail.

The Judge however did refer to post traumatic stress disorder or psychological damage – and that it can be “no excuse for sexual offending of this sort” and “can be little or no mitigation for ruining the lives of others”.

West Yorkshire Police states on its policies that any person reporting historic sexual abuse to the police will be treated seriously. The matter will be thoroughly investigated and historic offences could still result in the conviction of an offender.

Police added that the outcome of any such case could be difficult to predict and as such it is important that a victim under these circumstances keeps an open mind.

Once the suspect has been interviewed, the case papers will be assessed by the police and if there is sufficient evidence the case may be forwarded to the Crown Prosecution Service who will look at: the legality of the case; the public interest of commencing a prosecution; the likely prospect of a conviction; before they decide whether to take the matter forward.