A MAN has been jailed for sexually assaulting a girl who was under the age of 10 in a shocking series of offences that occurred over a 12-month period in Southampton.
Brian Wills, 51, from Hopes Avenue in Dalmellington, East Ayrshire, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison at Southampton Crown Court on Monday. The court heard how Wills subjected the young victim to repeated sexual abuse between July 2023 and July 2024.
The defendant had previously pleaded guilty to all eight counts of assaulting a girl under 13, which included four counts of assault by touching and one count of assault by penetration. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed Wills assaulted the girl on 20 July last year.
Brave Victim Spoke Out Against Abuser
Police said the girl told officers she had been abused by Wills on numerous occasions over the course of a year in Southampton. The young victim’s courage in reporting the abuse was praised by investigators who worked on the case.
DC Gemma Boyle, from the child abuse investigation team, said: “This was a shocking series of offences against a young girl, who has been so incredibly brave in talking about what happened to her.
She added: “It takes such courage to do so, particularly at such a young age, and this must not be understated.”
Child Abuse Investigation Team Handles Case
The case was investigated by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s specialist Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT), which deals with serious sexual offences against children. The team works closely with partner agencies to safeguard children and bring offenders to justice.
The force has specialist teams across the region, including units in Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight, dedicated to investigating reports of child sexual abuse. These teams include specially trained officers who can provide support to victims throughout the criminal justice process.
Hampshire Constabulary emphasised that all allegations of sexual abuse are taken extremely seriously. The force has dedicated units that investigate these offences and provide specialist support to victims and their families.
Support Available for Victims
Following the sentencing, police urged anyone who has been affected by sexual assault to come forward and seek help. Officers stressed that victims will be listened to and their reports will be believed.
We want to encourage anyone who has been affected by sexual assault to contact police on 101, where you can speak to an officer in confidence,” a force spokesperson said.
The constabulary acknowledged that not everyone feels able to speak to police immediately about their experiences. They highlighted that other support services are available to help victims deal with the impact of abuse.
Specialist Support Services
In Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, victims and survivors of sexual abuse can access specialist support through various organisations. These services are available regardless of whether the victim chooses to report the crime to police.
Children who have experienced abuse can contact ChildLine on 0800 11 11 for confidential support. Adults who were affected by childhood abuse can call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.
Local support services include Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) services, which provide specialist help to victims and survivors throughout their journey, whether they report to police or not.
Warning Signs and Prevention
Hampshire Constabulary’s Child Abuse Investigation Team works not only to investigate crimes but also to educate the public about recognising signs of abuse. The force encourages parents, guardians and professionals working with children to be vigilant.
Common warning signs can include changes in a child’s behaviour, reluctance to be around certain adults, age-inappropriate sexual knowledge, or physical symptoms. However, officers stress that abuse can be difficult to identify as children may not understand they are being abused or may be too frightened to speak out.
The force operates under Sarah’s Law, which allows concerned individuals to request information about whether someone who has contact with a child has been convicted of child sex offences.
Continued Vigilance Required
This case highlights the importance of children feeling safe to report abuse and the crucial role that specialist police units play in bringing offenders to justice. The significant prison sentence handed down to Wills reflects the seriousness with which the courts treat offences against children.
Hampshire Constabulary continues to urge anyone with concerns about child abuse to come forward. Reports can be made by calling 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The force’s message remains clear: protecting children from abuse and exploitation is one of their most important missions, and they will work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice while supporting victims through the process.
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