Former Devon police officer jailed for paedophile crimes

A paedophile who committed a series of sexual offences against boys for more than a decade while serving as a police officer, has been jailed for six-and-a-half years. 

Danny Bryant, aged 65 years from Bideford, was convicted at Taunton Crown Court  on Thursday 7 November for historic sexual assaults against five boys between 1974 and 1985. Bryant admitted 10 indecent assaults.

Bryant, who retired from the police on medical grounds in 1994, was only charged this year, despite reports to the police by one victim, Russel Dawson, as long ago as 1988.

Bryant helped run the Surf Life Saving GB club at Saunton Sands during the 1980s and was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1985 for his youth work. From 1983 Russel Dawson said he was abused a number of times and that Bryant had taken advantage of weekends away.

Mr Dawson, who was 14 when the abuse began, has waived his right to anonymity. Despite giving a detailed statement to police in 1988, he later received a letter telling him they "did not feel they had enough evidence to prosecute".

Mr Dawson subsequently consulted a solicitor about taking legal action, but he said that he agreed to drop it after being visited by a chief inspector who warned him and his family about the "horrendous ordeal" of such a case.

Despite allegations, Bryant continued as a PC in Devon and Cornwall Police until his suspension in 1993 following the complaints of another victim.

The court heard that Mr Dawson's mother offered to help police investigate, but he said "she was told that they did not need her help and she was asked not to call them again".

After the case, Mr Dawson said  that the abuse had been "crippling and devastating" and believes the police "covered it up".

Judge David Ticehurst said it was "a matter of regret that the force did not bring him to justice before".

Det Ch Insp Dave Thorn said after the case: "The reason it wasn't prosecuted was not as a result of a cover-up.

"It was the result of insufficient evidence.

"Having said that, we are willing to learn lessons if there were investigative techniques which we used at the time were not up to scratch."

Following the sentencing Devon and Cornwall Police issued the following statement:

“The prosecution of Danny Bryant demonstrates that no matter how long ago an offence may have been committed, the door is never closed and offenders will be brought to justice.

“Danny Bryant’s crimes have had a significant impact on the lives of his victims and we are doing everything possible to support them at what is an extremely difficult time.

“The fact that Danny Bryant committed these crimes while a serving police officer makes them all the more serious and an unforgiveable abuse of trust which the public should quite rightly give to a police officer.

“These offences are historic and safeguarding procedures have changed significantly since the 1980s when they have taken place.

“Safeguarding procedures are significantly different now compared to 30 years ago.

“There are now stringent procedures in place to protect young people when taking part in community activities.

“It would be impossible to say that such things couldn’t happen, but the risk is much better managed by the police and other partner agencies.”