December 2017

Business owner jailed for ‘utterly devastating’ sexual abuse of girl

A sexual bully who subjected a girl to “utterly devastating” and “entirely indefensible” abuse has been jailed for six years.

He exploited her during the incidents and she was entirely at his mercy during her ordeal, a court heard.

Terence Gibney, 60, from the Grimsby area, denied three offences of indecent assault and three of indecency with a child.

The businessman, who runs a fish processing company in Grimsby, was convicted by a jury after a trial.

Gordon Stables, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that there was “repeated touching” of the girl by Gibney.

He intimately touched her and was involved in sexual behaviour with her.

She said that, after she spoke to police, she felt “I have had a weight lifted off my shoulders”.

She added: “I am sick of it. I have had enough. He touched me. He should not have been touching me at that age.”

He is understood to run a fish filleting business.

Recorder Peter Makepeace QC told Gibney that the offending had been “utterly devastating” for the victim.

He had sought to “exploit” her while she was a “vulnerable child who was entirely at your mercy”.

Recorder Makepeace said: “The offences you committed against her were entirely indefensible.”

Gibney was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was given a lifetime restraining order.