A solicitor representing the victims of paedophile doctor Myles Bradbury says his decision to appeal his 22-year prison sentence is ‘shocking’.
The Cambridgeshire children’s doctor, who cared for gravely ill young boys, was jailed last December after admitting sexually abusing 18 boys in his care, whilst working as a paediatrician at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
Now, it has been revealed that he is to appeal his sentence, with his hearing set to be held in June.
Neil Hudgell Solicitors, says his appeal should be immediately dismissed given the ‘flagrant abuse of his position of trust’ and the ‘lifelong impact’ his crimes will have on his young victims.
We have previously called for a ‘full and independent inquiry’ into how Bradbury’s crimes went undetected for four-and-a-half-years at the hospital. She is pursuing civil claims against Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Addenbrooke’s Hospital, on behalf of victims.
Miss Daly said the thought of Bradbury possibly having his sentence cut – less than half a year after being jailed – has devastated some of her clients.
“I have already spoken to a number of families we are representing and they have been completely shocked by the news of this appeal,” said Neil Hudgell Solicitors.
“These families have been through the most horrific times due to the terrible crimes of this man.
“Parents thought their gravely ill children were being cared for by one of the leading and most highly-respected children’s doctors in the country. Many found it hard to believe when they were made aware of Bradbury’s abuse of their children.
“Since he was jailed last December, I have spent a great deal of time in the company of these families. The jail sentence didn’t bring any closure for the families in this case. Yes, they each welcomed the length and severity of the sentence, but that will never repair the psychological harm caused to many of these children.
“The judge at the time said he had never come across a more culpable and grave course of sexual criminality. He flagrantly abused his position of trust in the worst possible way. In the five months which have passed since then, nothing has changed.
“Bradbury’s crimes remain as despicable as they were when he was rightly sentenced to 22 years. The psychological harm caused to his victims remains the same. It will live with many for the rest of their lives.
“This appeal will only cause more upset and difficulty for these families at a time when they need support and understanding. At least with the court case, they had time to prepare themselves for the emotional ordeal of hearing of the abuse which took place. This has come as a bolt out of the blue.
“We called on the Government to stage a full and independent inquiry into how Bradbury’s crimes were allowed to go undetected for so long because we felt answers were needed. Families feel they have had very little support. Should Bradbury have his sentence cut, they’ll be left feeling bitterly
