Dulwich paedophile who abused two young boys 30 years ago is jailed

A man who abused two young boys more than 30 years ago has been jailed.

Graham Brightwell, 69, of Peabody Hill, Dulwich, was sentenced to a total of 11 years’ imprisonment at Isleworth Crown court yesterday.

At an earlier hearing Brightwell had pleaded guilty to one count of attempted buggery and six counts of indecent assault (one a multiple incident charge).

The offences were committed against two young boys in the late 1970s and late 1980s. They were first reported to police in September 2017.

Both victims gave statements to police in September and October 2017, detailing the abuse they suffered at the hands of Brightwell.

One victim said the abuse went on for eight years, ending when he turned 16.

Brightwell was subsequently arrested in April 2018. He pleaded guilty to the offences on June 3 this year.

DC Graham Blake, from the West Area safeguarding unit, said: “Brightwell took advantage of his young victims’ vulnerability, sexually abusing them on numerous occasions when the opportunities presented themselves.

“I would like to praise the victims’ courage in reporting what happened to them to police.

“A serious crime committed 30 years ago is still a crime. While investigations into non-recent sexual offences can be challenging, we have specially trained officers who will follow up all lines of inquiry, and seek to prosecute when the evidence will support it.”

To report a rape or sexual offence, call police on 101, report it online here or visit a police station.