‘Shameless’ sex offender jailed for sexually abusing young girls after brave survivors come forward

A man has finally been sentenced to prison 58 years after first abusing three young girls. Charles Brown has now faced justice after his victims bravely came forward to Essex Police in 2019 and stood firm throughout the five-year investigation.

Brown, 76, of Hogarth Drive, Shoeburyness, appeared at Basildon Crown Court where he was convicted of sexually assaulting three young girls. The verdict brought to an end a long investigation by Essex Police’s Quest Team, which investigates reports of sexual offences where the victim was a child at the time of the offence but is now an adult.

Sergeant Rachel Mitchell, the lead officer in the case, said: “We received a report in 2019 that Charles Brown had assaulted young girls on several occasions between 1966 and 1994. In all Quest investigations, the first thing our investigators do is obtain a statement from the victim.

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“We know it is traumatic for people to re-examine events that they may have repressed for years and not told anyone about. However, since there is often no forensic evidence, this victim’s report is crucial and forms the basis for our further investigations.”

After these victim statements were taken, Brown was arrested at his home address in Shoeburyness. While in custody, he refused to answer any questions.

Detectives worked with the Crown Prosecution Service to charge Brown with eight counts of inappropriately touching girls under the age of 16. Following a week-long trial at Basildon Crown Court, Brown was found guilty of five counts on November 14, 2023. The jury found him not guilty on three counts.

Brown was sentenced to 31 months and three weeks in prison on Friday, May 24. He will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Sergeant Rachel Mitchell added: “Brown’s conviction was a direct result of the courage of these survivors, who conducted themselves with patience and dignity throughout a really difficult, lengthy investigation. The survivors received support from Independent Sexual Assault Advisers (ISVAs) in their areas from the moment they reported. ISVAs were able to provide emotional support and counselling to victims.”

In a victim impact statement, one of the survivors said: “Charles Brown chose to touch and scratch my young, undeveloped body for his own gratification. He felt no shame, did not think about the effect it would have on me and still pleads not guilty, so he continues to abuse me, no longer physically, but now psychologically.

“I will never forgive him for making me doubt my self-worth. Even as a grown woman, I was genuinely afraid of him. When I became a mother, I was filled with fear when my little girl was not with me. Because of what happened to me, I viewed any man who picked her up, leaned into her crib, or looked at her as a threat to her safety.

“I wish I had been stronger earlier and hadn’t been so afraid. I feel guilty because if he had done to someone what he did to me, I could have saved him by reporting him. Rationally, I know he is responsible for his actions, even if he keeps denying it.

“He knows what he did and he knows I’m telling the truth. He has to live with his own demons, just as I continue to live with mine. Had he pleaded guilty in May of last year, he could have spared us all further suffering, but instead he was and is content to continue our suffering and shows us no remorse for what he did.”

Detective Superintendent Neil Pudney, Head of Investigations for Essex Police’s Crime and Public Protection Unit, said: “The conviction of Charles Brown was historically the most significant public protection investigation in which we have achieved a conviction. The findings from our Quest team and other teams within our Crime and Public Protection Unit prove that we are not limited by forensic capabilities and there is no time limit when investigating sexual offences.

“Our officers are better trained than ever to investigate sexual offences that have not been committed recently and now a third of all reports we receive are not recent. I would encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence but has not yet reported it to anyone to contact the police.

“If you are still unsure about an official investigation, our partner agencies within Synergy Essex can offer you support and answer any questions you may have.”