Two brothers jailed for assaulting two man when they were younger in Nottinghamshire
David and Christopher Harwood inflicted the abuse on their victims at the same Nottinghamshire location in the 1970s and 1980s
Detectives have praised two men for helping jail the duo who sexually abused them when they were younger.
Their brave decision to share what David and Christopher Harwood did decades ago resulted in both men being locked up.
The Harwood brothers inflicted the sickening abuse on their victims at the same Nottinghamshire location in the 1970s and 1980s.
David Harwood sexually assaulted both men when they were boys, while Christopher was responsible for abusing one of them.
Several decades on from the abuse, both victims decided to speak out about what happened to them and report it to the police.
David and Christopher Harwood were subsequently charged with an array of offences but always denied doing anything wrong.
David, now 67, was charged with three counts of indecent assault on a boy, gross indecency with a boy, and inciting a boy to commit an act of gross indecency.
Fifty-nine-year-old Christopher, meanwhile, was charged with indecent assault on a boy.
Based on their not guilty pleas, a trial took place earlier this year, which concluded with a jury finding the brothers guilty on all counts.
They both returned to Nottingham Crown Court to be sentenced on 27 June.
David Harwood, of Skeavingtons Lane, Ilkeston, was jailed for 15 years.
Christopher Harwood, of Barkston Gardens, Lincoln, received a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence.
Detective Constable Andrea Parker, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“I have nothing but admiration for the strength showcased by the two victims throughout this entire process.
“Their decision to share such a harrowing part of their past with us meant the men who abused them all those years ago didn’t get away with it.
“In complete comparison to their bravery, David and Christopher Harwood showed no courage whatsoever by refusing to take accountability for their despicable actions.
“The brothers always denied doing anything wrong, with those lies resulting in their victims having to relive what happened to them all over again in the trial that followed.
“We’re pleased to see both have now been jailed for their crimes – with David Harwood in particular set to spend a considerable part of his life behind bars.
“Our hope is that this result encourages more people who have suffered non-recent sexual offences to come forward and report it.
“It doesn’t matter if happened today, last year, a decade ago, or longer, if you report it to us, we will take it seriously and will look to take action to get you justice.”