Judge Described Myles Bradbury As ‘Worst Paedophile’ He Had Seen
A children’s cancer doctor who abused 18 boys in his care at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge has been jailed for 22 years.Myles Bradbury, 41, was described by Judge Gareth Hawkesworth as the worst paedophile he had seen.
All of his victims suffered from leukaemia, haemophilia or other serious conditions. Bradbury filmed some of the abuse using a spy pen and abused others behind a curtain while their parents were in the room.
Judge Hawkesworth said: “I have never come across a more culpable and grave course of sexual criminality which has involved such a gross and grotesque breach and betrayal of your Hippocratic Oath and trust reposed in you by your patients, their families and colleagues.
"There are almost too many aggravating features to enumerate in this prolonged, carefully planned, cruel and persistent campaign of abuse. At the top of this comes the breach of trust.”
He added that the cancer doctor’s actions had undermined trust in the national health service, but that this was insignificant when set against the “trauma, fear and distress” caused to his victims.
Michelle Brown, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s rape and serious sexual offences unit, said:
"This paedophile doctor took advantage of his young patients battling serious illness by systematically sexually abusing them. Such cruelty is unimaginable to most of us.
"The sentence given to Myles Bradbury reflects the seriousness of what he did and the breach of trust involved. We hope that it gives some comfort to those affected to know that he has been held to account for his crimes."
Expert Opinion
This shocking case is yet another example of people in a position of trust using taking advantage of their access to young people. Every effort must be made to ensure the failings that allowed this abuse to take place are resolved to ensure terrible crimes such as this can be avoided in the future. <br/> <br/>“The priority now is ensuring those affected by this case are able to access the help and support they need to overcome the psychological and physical impact of the sexual abuse the suffered. These effects can be long-lasting and impact victims for the rest of their lives. <br/> <br/>“High-profile cases such as this can help to highlight the issue and give survivors of sexual abuse the confidence to come forward, knowing that their allegations will be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.” Luke Daniels - Partner