Brian Darby, an 80-year-old man with a history of violent crime, has been handed a further prison sentence for his latest transgressions. The former police officer, who was once jailed for life after attempting to murder a woman in west London, has now been sentenced to four years in prison and two additional years on licence.
Since being released from prison in 2017, Darby had already demonstrated a disturbing pattern of behaviour. Not only did he create and distribute indecent images of children – a criminal offence that warrants serious punishment – but he also engaged in online chats where he shared graphic rape and murder fantasies with others.
The court was told that Darby's descent into depravity began almost immediately after his release from prison, when he started accessing indecent pictures of children online. It is a stark reminder of the ongoing risks posed by offenders like Darby, who seem to have little regard for the harm they inflict on others or the consequences of their actions.
The judge's comments in sentencing Darby were telling, describing him as 'emotionally detached and indifferent' when questioned about his crimes. This emotional disconnection is a hallmark of serial offenders, who often display a callous disregard for the rights and dignity of others. In this case, the judge noted that Darby's online fantasies echoed his previous convictions for attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, and aggravated burglary.
As if one life sentence was not enough, Darby's past is littered with other examples of violent offending. He was sacked from Leicestershire Police in the 1970s after being accused of indecently assaulting boys, and later plotted to murder a woman and her children in 2000.