Brian Gillard

Brian Gillard, a pensioner from Basildon, carried out a prolonged campaign of sexual and physical abuse against two young children during the 1970s and 1980s. The offences came to light decades later when the victims reported them to Essex Police in 2017.

The primary victim, a girl who was just four years old when the abuse began, endured repeated rapes and indecent assaults at the hands of Gillard over a 15-year period. He also physically and mentally abused a young boy on multiple occasions spanning ten years during the same era. All incidents occurred in Basildon, Essex, where Gillard resided at the time. The victims, both under 18 during the abuse, suffered in silence until adulthood.

Gillard initially denied the charges when arrested by Essex Police. However, on the first day of his trial at Basildon Crown Court on 9 July 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of rape of a girl under 16 on multiple occasions, indecent assault on a girl under 16, and cruelty to a child or young person. In August 2018, he was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment with a one-year extended licence period.

The sentence was deemed unduly lenient, and in October 2018, the then Solicitor General Robert Buckland referred the case to the Court of Appeal. The appeal court increased Gillard's term to 18 years and six months' imprisonment, still with a one-year extended licence. Commenting on the increase, Buckland stated: 'Gillard carried out a campaign of abuse against two children over many years. I am pleased that the Court of Appeal has agreed to increase Gillard’s sentence, and hope the victims can begin to move on from what would have been a hugely traumatic experience.'

Following his conviction, Gillard was moved to HMP Ashfield. He died there on 19 December 2025 at the age of 82. His death is under investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. Investigating officer Detective Constable Tiffany Jennings praised the victims' courage, saying: 'I would like to thank the victims for their strength and bravery in coming forward and reporting their abuse to us. Brian Gillard committed vile offences against the most vulnerable of all victims. I hope that their courage will give other victims of abuse the confidence to come forward as it is never too late to report abuse, no matter how long ago it took place.' The case was reported by Essex Live, drawing from court records and official statements from Essex Police and the Solicitor General's office.