PAEDO TO BE JAILED
Judge tells pensioner he will be sent to prison for catalogue of abuse
A PAEDOPHILE pensioner, who blamed his epilepsy for some of his crimes, has been warned he faces prison.
Leslie Brindle was found guilty last week of a “catalogue” of sexual attacks on young girls.
The jury took four hours to convict the 70-yearold on all 11 charges, which include three counts of inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity and of indecently exposing himself to young girls.
Brindle, of Madog Street, Porthmadog, had used his epilepsy and resulting seizures to justify some of the abuse.
Judge Recorder Wyn Lloyd Jones warned the former baker he faces a prison sentence, and he was bailed until a sentencing hearing on October 20.
Brindle, who was comforted by his family upon leaving the dock, has been ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register.
The judge said: “There can only be one sentence for a catalogue of serious offences against young children, and that will be prison.
“I will be merciful and extend your bail so you can sort out your affairs. But, be under no illusions, you are looking at prison.”
The week-long trial at Caernarfon Crown Court heard evidence from some of Brindle’s victims, who said he had exposed himself through open windows at his home, as well as engaging in sexual activity. Some of the offences took place 30 years apart. Prosecutors proved that Brindle had also intentionally exposed himself to girls by pulling down his jogging bottoms, and he was arrested for indecent exposure in 1970.
After the latest allegations were reported to police last summer, a woman came forward to report that she had also been subjected to abuse by Brindle during the late 1980s.
But, when asked by police officers about the allegations, Brindle said: “They have a very vivid imagination.”
He dismissed the similarity of the offences over such a wide time frame as merely “coincidence”.
Sion ap Mihangel, defending, urged the judge to consider the defendant’s age and poor health.