December 2013

Jailed: Phillip Britton, who raped his 7-year-old stepdaughter

TO many Phillip Britton was a pillar of community who helped enrich the lives of the elderly but he carried a dark secret – he had raped his seven-year-old step daughter.

On August 8, 1977 Britton followed Tina up to her room and tied her hands behind her back before raping her.

The youngster was later taken to hospital having suffered terrible pain which left her with internal injuries so severe she required 40 stitches and the vile act was then blamed on her falling on a toy

Although Tina did tell her mother and the news reached police Britton was never prosecuted.

With the offence happening so long ago Britton must have thought he had got away with it but on Friday justice finally caught up with the 63-year-old and he was jailed for 10 years.

Tina, now 44 said: “I’m so pleased justice has finally been done. It has been a long time coming, but seeing Britton jailed for ten years makes every horrible moment that I spent reliving my ordeal in court worth it.”

Mum of three Tina said: “I was just seven years old when he raped me. Phillip led me to the bed and tied my hands above my head. I’ll never forget the look of horror on his face when he put me in the bath afterwards and the water turned red with blood.”

The mum, who bravely waived her right to anonymity to speak out about her experience, said the incident has had a devastating impact on her life.

Tina said she became a troubled teen after trying to bury what had happened to her.

She said: “I’ve been unable to trust any man since, except for my dad. I couldn’t even fully trust my babies’ father. I tried to block out what happened, but the pain was always there.”

Tina reported local businessman Britton in September 2011 after finally summoning up the courage to speak out about the horrific incident.

She added: “It was the thought of it happening again that made me come forward. I couldn’t live with myself if another innocent young girl’s life was ruined by that evil man.

“Now he’s in prison where he belongs and any other little girl who he might have ever come into contact with will be safe. The police have been fantastic, I couldn’t have asked for more support.

“The case has divided my family, I know some didn’t believe me, but now I have my justice and it’s been proven he did it.”

With the court case behind her Tina now hopes to move on with her life with the help of Safe Link, a Bristol-based counselling service for sexual assault victims.

At Bristol Crown Court Britton of Croomes Hill, Downend wore a burgundy jumper, red fleece and glasses perched on the end of his nose as he listened to his fate.

Sending Britton to prison Judge Michael Longman told him: “At the time you were living in the household and were effectively her step father. When she returned home one evening you followed her to her room and with her hands tied behind her back you raped her.

“She said it didn’t last long but it was long enough to cause her physical injuries that needed medical attention.

“It was reported to those treating her that she had fallen on a toy. This is something she would go along with.

“I say that because it’s impossible to conclude whether you put her up to avoid the consequences of what you had done.

“She told her mother some months later and police were to be informed but matters at that stage went no further.

“At that point you must have thought you had got away with it but justice has now caught up with you.”

Defending Britton, Anna Vigars said there was a another side to this man and that his wife continued to stand by him.

Ms Vigars said: “There is another side to this man which is a side represented in some way by the evidence given by his wife. She for understandable reasons is not here today but supports him and stands by him and she does so as a result of the very long history they have together and the way in which she knows him to be.

“He is a man who has throughout his life worked, contributed to the community in varying different ways.

“Most notably recently working with elderly people on a voluntary basis. He is somebody who gives back.”

Ms Vigars said Britton had expressed gratitude to the court for allowing him to sort out his business affairs and for seeing his ill mother for probably the last time given he faced a long period of incarceration.

Kirsty Real, prosecuting, said although Britton did have some previous offences they were not relevant.

November 2013

Bristol man could face life sentence after historic child rape verdict

A DOWNEND man faces a maximum of life imprisonment after being found guilty of the historical rape of a seven-year-old girl.

Phillip Britton, 62, of Croomes Hill, denied wrongdoing but a jury of seven men and five women unanimously found him guilty after a trial at Bristol Crown Court. Judge Michael Longman ordered him to sign the sex offenders’ register and bailed him for sentence on December 6.

The judge told him: “There is only one type of sentence available. It is simply a question of length and I shall decide that in due course.”