Bedford man jailed for sexually abusing two children two decades apart

A Bedford man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after he was found guilty of sexually abusing two children two decades apart.

Brian Watts, 79, was in his 40s when he sexually abused a young boy in the early 1990s, after inviting him over to his home to play on his games console. 

The victim kept the abuse to himself for a long time but made the decision to report it to police in 2020 after realising how much it was affecting his mental health.

Another victim had disclosed that Watts had been sexually abusing her since she was aged six or seven. She was a teenager when she disclosed this to a trusted adult in 2019, who then reported it to police.

An investigation was launched by Bedfordshire Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People team and Watts was arrested and interviewed but denied sexually abusing either child.

After an 11-day trial at Luton Crown Court, Watts of Kimble Drive, Bedford, was jailed on Friday (19 July) for 13 years after being found guilty of the following:

• Four counts of indecent assault of a male
• Four counts of indecency with a child
• Three counts of sexual assault of a child

He will also be the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order on his release.

In an impact statement, each victim described how the abuse has had a huge impact of their lives.

“I’ve carried this secret, the shame, sadness and anger with myself for too long and I don’t know the person I could have been if this hadn’t have happened.”

“It’s hard to explain but I still struggle with physical touch from anyone. I am just not comfortable in my own skin, and this is because of him and what he did to me.”

Detective Sergeant Gemma West, who investigated both cases, said: “I am pleased that Watts has received a custodial sentence, particularly after he denied all offences which led to both victims having to give evidence against him in court, which was a very traumatic experience as they had to re-live what had happened to them.

“However, they both demonstrated such bravery in doing this, and now Watts is behind bars I hope this helps them move forward in some way.

“If anything like this has happened to you, no matter how long ago, please come forward and tell us. I hope this case sends a message that it is never too late to report to us and we will do all we can to support the victim and bring the perpetrator to justice.”

Reports of sexual assault, even if non-recent, can be made to Bedfordshire Police by calling 101 or reporting online.