A PENSIONER has been jailed for two years for sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl in her bedroom.
Samuel Shaw, 69, initially denied abusing the girl between September 22, 2006 and October 2, 2007.
On the day of his trial, last month, he admitted two charges of sexual assault on a child under 13.
Passing sentence at Basildon Crown Court, Judge Michael Brooke QC also banned Shaw, of Argyll Road, Westcliff, from ever working with children.
The judge told him: “I have read the victim impact statement and it does seem she remains stressed and indeed has been prescribed medication for stress. Clearly, it has had a disruptive and distressing effect on the family as a whole.”
Judge Brooke conceded Shaw had saved the victim and other young witnesses the ordeal of having to give evidence in court. However, but he said he did not accept Shaw’s claim he received “no sexual gratification” from touching the girl’s body.
Stephen Rose, defending Shaw, said the defendant was sorry for his actions and had even attempted suicide. Shaw’s family had suffered as a result of posters about him being placed on lamp posts around Southend, Mr Rose added.
Shaw will also remain on the sex offenders’ register for ten years.
