Man jailed for child sex abuse over 10-year period

Brian Smith was sentenced to 21 years in prison for the sexual offences

A man who abused multiple children over more than 10 years has been jailed for 21 years.

Brian Smith, 75, from Northampton, sexually assaulted one boy and three girls, forced them to watch pornography, and committed rape from 1991 through the 2000s.

Smith, formerly of Simon De Senlis Court on Robert Street, was eventually charged with 27 offences at Northampton Crown Court last year, including rape, indecent assault, and indecency with a child under 14.

The jury convicted him of 14 offences but could not decide on the others. Smith then pleaded guilty to the remaining counts while awaiting a retrial.

On top of his jail sentence, Smith will also have to spend a year on licence after his release, and he has been placed on the sex offender's register indefinitely.

'Exceptional bravery'

Det Sgt Ryan Tilly, of Northamptonshire Police, said: "I am really pleased that Brian Smith has finally been brought to justice for his horrific sexual offending and whilst nothing will ever erase what happened to these four people, I hope that this significant sentence provides them with some sense of justice.

"They have shown exceptional bravery in reporting this abuse to us, supporting the investigation from start to finish, and appearing at court to give evidence against their abuser.

"All of them have found courage they should never have had to call upon and I am really proud to have met them and been part of their journey toward justice."