Father of 28 Jailed for Child Abuse
A 60 year old man, labelled Britain’s most prolific father, has recently been sentenced to over 5 years in prison for sexual child abuse and taking naked photos of a young girl over a 3 year period.
Britain’s Most Prolific Father
Michael Redman was dubbed Britain’s most prolific father last year after it was revealed he had fathered 28 children to 9 different women. It was claimed in the press at the time that Redman would use his position as a bus driver as a way to meet and romance female passengers.
Guildford Crown Court heard that the abuse started in 2008 when the girl was just 12 years old. Redman would visit the victim’s home where he would molest her, forcing her to pose naked for degrading photos. He also took her to various woodland areas in Surrey where he would carry on the abuse and take more photos.
The court heard that the victim was too frightened of Redman to say anything and the abuse continued until she was 15. It was at this time that Redman’s victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, felt she was strong enough to speak out against her attacker. She confided in her own father who encouraged her to go to the police.
Arrest & Admission
Redman, a former Royal Armoured Corps trooper, was arrested after his son Mason was contacted by the victim over social networking site Facebook. Explaining her decision to contact Redman’s son and reveal the lewd photos to him, the victim, now 19, said:
“I wanted Mason to know what his dad was like.”
Jurors heard that Mason, 21 and a military police officer, was furious with his father and confronted Redman over the images, saying:
“I’ve seen the photos. You’re going to prison. Why don’t you jump off a bridge?”
The court also heard how Redman broke down in tears upon admitting the offences to his former wife Maria. She told the court:
“He confessed to me. When I asked him if he had done it, he started to cry and said ‘yes.’”
Denial & Previous Convictions
When questioned by detectives however, Redman denied that any offence had taken place, claiming that he had never been alone with the victim for long enough for it to be possible. He also denied confessing to his former wife, claiming that she was hostile towards him due to his lifestyle, motivating her to lie.
However jurors were told of a previous conviction of Redman’s for violently assaulting his ex-wife and how he was extremely strict with his own children, even enforcing gender specific haircuts for boys and girls.
The court also heard how Redman had previously been questioned by police after he took photos of naked children playing in his garden were taken to a photographic shop to be developed.
Sentencing
Jailing Redman, Judge Peter Moss told him he had perfected the “art of deceit” during the time he groomed and habitually abused the young girl.
The judge criticised Redman for his ‘feckless’ behaviour in his private life as he sentenced him at Guildford Crown Court, saying:
“It seems you were perfecting the art of deceit, which you had practiced in the past it seems, with other women, with whom you had many children.
“I must consider the effect it [a prison sentence] will have on your young children. The impact on them is great by your loss.
“These cases plainly destroy families. That’s something that you are not unused to doing, by looking at your background.”
Reading from a victim impact statement, the prosecution said the abuse had mired the youngster’s schooling and left her wary of men. Abigail Husbands stated:
“She remembers him saying how beautiful she looked and felt he took complete advantage of her,
“She feels she is beginning to be a stronger person but her self-esteem is low and she doesn’t allow herself to become too involved with people of the other sex.”
Redman was jailed for a total of 26 months for assault by penetration, 14 months for making indecent pictures and 18 months for sexual assaults. He was also put on the Sex Offender’s Register and made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. The latter bans Redman from contacting anyone under the age of 16 without the express permission of a parent or guardian who is aware of his convictions.
Child Abuse Claims – Expert Advice
Hampson Hughes Solicitors specialises in directing sexual abuse claims in a considerate and compassionate manner. Our Abuse & Criminal Injuries Department is headed by Greg Neill – Greg is a member of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL).
For an open and friendly conversation about your situation, and to find out how we can assist you relevant to your individual experience, call 0800 888 6 888 or email
You will be given the direct-dial of your case handler, meaning that you will always be able to reach the person you need.
Source: Telegraph
