Former BA pilot Bartle Frere jailed for 12-and-a-half years for abusing boys

Bartle Frere, 51, of Shipton Gorge, has been convicted of a string of child sex offences, including eight counts of abusing a boy from the area.

The former British Airways pilot has now been jailed for more than 12 years.

Frere was convicted on Tuesday of 16 counts of arranging or committing sex offences following trial.

He had previously been convicted of eight sex offences and was sentenced on all 24 counts yesterday morning.

In total, he has been jailed for 12-and-a-half-years and has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

Speaking to the Echo and Bridport News after the sentencing, the victim from west Dorset, now in his 20s, said he feels ‘vindicated’ and is relieved that Frere will not be able to harm any young boys again.

The jury heard how Frere had befriended the boy when he was at a local primary school.

Frere would shower the boy with gifts including items he bought from different countries during his trips as part of his BA job, the jury heard.

Speaking in a police interview that was shown to the jury, the man, who is now in his 20s, said he would often have a bath after carrying out the work and Frere had assaulted him following his baths.

In the interview, the man said he was sexually assaulted by Frere at his home “between 10 and 15 times” and on one occasion, Frere blindfolded him with a rugby sock during one of the assaults.

He also said Frere tried to assault him at Eggardon Hill near Bridport, but he asked him to stop, which Frere did before telling the boy: “It might be wrong, but if it feels right we should carry on doing it.”

Judge Peter Johnson told Frere he was a 'complex 51-year-old character' who had a longheld interest in children, particularly prepubscent boys.

He said: "The verdicts of the jury and the evidence produced at the trial make it absolutely clear that you were and are a sexual predator."

For each of the eight counts of sexually assaulting a boy from West Dorset, Frere received concurrent custodial sentences amounting to seven and a half years.

For each of the six counts of possessing indecent photographs, Frere received a three month custodial sentence to run concurrently.

For each of the four counts of making indecent photographs, Frere received an 18 month custodial sentence to run concurrently.

For attempting to record a person doing a private act, Frere received a 12 month custodial sentence which will run consecutively.

For arranging or facilitating the abuse of teenage boys in India, Frere received a four year custodial sentence, which will run consecutively.

In addition, Frere was issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Following sentencing, Ian Harris, head of the Complex Casework Unit for CPS Wessex said: “Bartle Frere, until being investigated by Dorset Police, was a pilot for British Airways and was living in the village of Shipton Gorge, Dorset.

“The jury at Bournemouth Crown Court heard how he befriended and then sexually abused a boy who was 12 years old when the abuse started in 2001. The abuse continued for three years, with Frere often giving the boy money and gifts after sexually abusing him.

“It was also the prosecution case that for almost six years, from 2007 until 2013, he communicated with a further boy in India via email. These emails suggest that he met the boy and that they discussed future meetings, which appear to have taken place. The jury was shown the emails, in which Bartle Frere asked the boy to find other boys, and for a picture of a naked boy to be sent to him.

“Dorset Police’s examination of his computer investigation also revealed indecent images of a number of Indian children and showed that he had actively searched for paedophile websites on the internet.

“We would like to thank all those who assisted the police investigation and, in particular, those who gave evidence. Their courage and determination has contributed greatly to the successful prosecution of someone who poses a very significant risk to young boys.”