by Keith Hunt

Three brothers have started jail sentences for sexually abusing a young girl several years ago.

Stewart Onions was given the longest sentence of eight years.

Darren Onions was sentenced to two years three months and Sean Onions to 15 months.

Stewart Onions, 35, formerly of Folkestone, was convicted of three offences of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child.

Darren Onions, 40, of London Road , Deal, and Sean Onions, 44, of Beaufield Terrace, Dover, were each convicted of one offence of indecency with a child.

The jury of seven women and five men returned majority verdicts of 10-2.

Judge Charles Macdonald QC said the aggravating features were the high degree of harm to the victim and the duration of the offences.

The brothers, he said, were all family men and “workers” of previous good character.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how the three abused the girl on separate occasions.

Stewart Onions, now of Glasgow , forced her to have sex when she was a virgin after kissing and fondling her and telling her he was “just popping her cherry”.

He had sex with her on other occasions. She tried to resist but he was too strong. He also forced her to perform a sex act on him.

Stewart Onions was cleared of indecent assault, Sean Onions of indecent assault and sexual activity with a child and Darren Onions of two charges of indecent assault and one of sexual activity with a child.

They denied all the allegations but could give no reason why the victim would make them up.

Charlotte O’Connor, for father-of-three Stewart Onions, said there had been no intimidation or coercion.

“His life will forever be blighted by these convictions,” she added.