November 2010

Man, 65, sexually abused girl of 8 he was minding

A pensioner who repeatedly abused an 8-year-old girl has been jailed for 15 months.

Grandfather Brian Smith, 65, touched the Eastern European youngster after being asked to care for her while her parents were at work.

The offences took place on “five or six” occasions in Cambridge, the city’s Crown court heard.

Sending Smith to prison, Judge Jonathan Haworth told him: “You were entrusted to look after an 8-year-old girl and instead you abused her.”

Geoffrey Porter, prosecuting, said Smith was regularly asked to look after his victim and her brother during a half-hour window between when their mother left for work and their father returned.

Over time it became apparent Smith was favouring the girl over her sibling, showering her with gifts including a mobile phone and a necklace.

Mr Porter said police were called in when the girl’s mother discovered a text message in which Smith told his victim: “I love you”.

Smith, of Whitefriars, Chesterton, denied the offences when he was interviewed by officers but pleaded guilty to sexual assault when he went into the dock, admitting he had touched the girl between her legs, through her clothes.

Mark Shelley, mitigating, said Smith’s confession went beyond what he had been accused of and said there was no hint of paedophilia in the past of his client, a retired painter and decorator.

Mr Shelley said: “He was a 65-year-old man, living on his own, becoming lonely and depressed.

“He formed what perhaps to start with was a normal healthy relationship with a family living nearby, but he came to like this girl and it turned into something sinister.

“Much to his shame he has assaulted her.”

Smith was placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years and banned from unsupervised contact with under-16s.

Det Con Jo Crisall, who brought Smith to justice, welcomed the sentence.

She told the News: “This sentence shows how seriously this type of crime is regarded by the courts and I hope other victims of sexual offences are encouraged to come forward.

“Smith’s victim was extremely brave throughout this ordeal and I hope the result gives the family some comfort.”