Man who committed 'horrendous' child sex offences jailed

A 74-year-old man who committed "horrendous" sexual offences against children over a period of more than 30 years has been jailed.

Martin Brunt, of Warmley, South Gloucestershire, was found guilty of eight offences in January including sexual activity with a child and two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, which happened between 1992 and 2024.

Brunt, who denied the offences, was jailed for 11 years and six months at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.

"Brunt was trusted by his victims, who were all children at the time of his offending," said Det Con Cheryl Aucott of Avon and Somerset Police.

"But he took advantage of their vulnerabilities to commit sexual offences against them, solely for his own sexual gratification," Det Con Aucott added.

Brunt was also found guilty of sexual assault of a child under 13, indecency with a child, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and three counts of exposure after denying all of the offences.

Police said Brunt was arrested in February 2024 after they received a report that he had committed a sexual act in front of a young child.

Following the arrest, detectives received other allegations of similar offences he had committed and he was later charged.

One of his victims, who has life-long anonymity, said: "It was a real relief to find out that Martin Brunt was being investigated by police, as it gave me the opportunity to speak out about what he had done 20 years earlier."

As well as the prison sentence, Brunt was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

"The fact that these offences took place over a period of more than three decades demonstrates how depraved he is," Det Con Aucott added.

"The investigation and court process has caused significant anxiety for the victims and their family members.

"They each deserve immense credit for their strength and bravery in helping to ensure Brunt faced justice for his horrendous crimes against them."

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