A 60-year-old man has been jailed after a jury found him guilty of sexually assaulting a child.
The child’s mother read a statement to the court in which she said she will “be forever proud” of how brave her daughter had been to tell her what had happened.
Paul Ockelton, of Innsworth, had denied a charge of sexually assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, contrary to Section 7 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
During a hearing at Gloucester Crown Court on Monday (14 April) he was sentenced to 18 months in prison, will be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years and was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.
In the trial the court heard that Ockelton had sexually assaulted the girl in November 2021 by touching her, and that the intentional touching was sexual.
At the time of the offence, he had sat her on his lap and was heard to ask her: “Do you like this?” while carrying out the act.
Later that evening she disclosed that Ockelton had touched her privates.
Ockelton denied this and in interview said that he had been tickling her tummy and brushing her hair.
However, a jury rejected his defence and found him guilty on 14 March following a four day trial.
The child’s mother read a statement to the court in which she said: “I can’t even begin to tell you, as a parent and mother, how this felt in that moment to be told this.
“I was so proud of [child’s name] for telling the truth and being brave enough to tell me. This is the environment we have always created for her and our children.
“I am saddened that my daughter’s wellbeing and confidence has been so badly shattered by his actions. No-one has the right to touch my daughter and it is something that will affect her for the rest of her life.
“I do not know what gave Paul the right to take her innocence away, it isn’t acceptable… I will forever be proud of [child’s name] for telling us what happened. She is the most amazing and beautiful little girl.”
In mitigation, Ockelton’s defence barrister Alastair Haggerty said that this was an inexplicable moment which was less than a few seconds and was wholly out of character. He said it was impulsive and an inexplicable moment of madness.
Mr Haggerty added that Ockelton had paid a heavy price and will continue to do so for the rest of his life, and that the consequences for him are far reaching and permanent.
As well as the custodial sentence, of which Ockelton will serve at least half with the remainder on licence, the Sexual Harm Prevention Order prohibits him from having a female child aged under 16 from living with him, and no unsupervised contact with a female child aged under 16 without approval from social services or a child’s parent.
Detective Sergeant Grace Craddock, from the Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “The child victim in this case has been unbelievably brave by letting her parents know what Ockelton had done to her.
“The strength shown by her family throughout this difficult process too has been incredible, and I commend them for working with us to ensure Ockelton has been convicted and now sentenced for his offending.
“I would encourage anyone who has been sexually abused to please seek support, help is available.”
Police have specially trained officers who can provide support and investigate these type of offences.
Call 999 in an emergency, report by calling 101 or online here: https://www.police.uk/pu/contact-us/rape-sexual-assault-or-another-sexual-offence/
