A MAN was sentenced to 20 years in prison for rape and other historic sex crimes against two girls under the age of 16.
Steven David Bron, 68, was sentenced by Southampton Crown Court after being told that each of his victims was “haunted” by his behaviour.
Bron was convicted after prosecutors read statements of strength in court.
One of the victims said that at that time she was afraid to speak, was not confident in herself and constantly visited memories. She added, “I felt like my body no longer belonged to me.”
Another girl said the abuse caused her to lose interest in school.
Bron took one of his victims to a dilapidated building and told her: “I dreamed of having sex with you,” the court heard.
Judge Brian Forster KC stated that the defendant abused his victims for his own sexual gratification.
He told Bron: “Your behavior has had a huge impact on the applicants. Everyone is haunted by the memories of what you did to them. A shadow has fallen on every life.”
The court learned that Bron had no criminal record.
He suffers from a serious lung condition that affects his breathing and ability to climb stairs, but Judge Forster said he could only place limited weight on the defendant’s illness in sentencing.
Bron committed crimes in the Southampton area but now lives in Court Newydd in Wales.
He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for rape, eight years for attempted rape and sexual assault, and five years for five other counts of sexual assault. Three terms of office run in parallel.
He also received a restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order, both of which remain in effect indefinitely.
Bron denied the facts but was found guilty after a hearing last month. The sentencing was postponed due to the preparation of certificates.
As Bron was escorted off the dock, Judge Forster praised the victims for their courage in exposing his crimes and testifying in court.
Author: Chris Yandel
