A businessman who systematically abused children in the Boys' Brigade and other groups over a period of six decades will spend at least seven years in jail.
Philip Longbottom, 67, from Shipley, West Yorkshire, will serve a minimum of seven years in jail after pleading guilty to more than 40 serious sexual offences at Bradford Crown Court.
The father of three and former scout leader invited victims to his home or took them on foreign holidays, camping and swimming trips, often giving them and their parents money or expensive gifts.
Longbottom, who was also involved with a CB radio club, the church boys' brigade and the sea cadets, abused 12 boys and teenagers between the ages of seven and 19 between 1968 and 1996, with a further offence in 2010.
The youngest victim was seven and the oldest 19.
He was given concurrent life sentences, with a minimum term of seven years, for 16 offences of rape and buggery against six victims.
He also received four years for 21 counts of indecent assault, four years for a count of assault with intent to commit buggery and 16 months for four counts of indecency with a child. The sentences will run alongside the life sentence.
Judge Jonathan Rose told his victims in court: "No sentence I can impose can ever adequately compensate you for what you endured in your childhoods."
A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference
In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.
Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.
For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.
Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.
Support Us
Article by Aaron James
Tola Mbakwe is a multimedia journalist for Premier.
