A MAN who sexually assaulted and exploited a teenage girl nearly 40 years ago has been jailed.
Ian Garland, of Barwell Grove in Emsworth, Hampshire, was found guilty of two counts of indecent assault and two counts of incitement to engage in sexual activity.
The 63-year-old “clearly and consistently cared for” a girl 11 years younger than him who lived nearby in Chichester for a three-year period from 1982 to 1985. Garland was in her 20s.
He was sentenced yesterday, March 16, at Salisbury Crown Court to two years and eight months. He will also be a registered sex offender for 10 years.
Garland took her to secluded places where he assaulted the young girl on “numerous occasions”.
West Sussex CID detective Louise Clark said: ‘Garland was in his 20s and living in Chichester when he met and befriended the girl, who lived nearby and was 11 years younger than him .
“Over a three-year period between 1982 and 1985, he clearly and systematically groomed her, taking advantage of her natural vulnerability for his own sexual gratification.
“He took her to isolated places near the city where he assaulted her on several occasions.
“Eventually his victim managed to break the relationship, but what happened to him has affected his life since. Three years ago, she finally came to us and we immediately opened an investigation which led to Garland not have no choice but to admit his terrible actions.”
Friday, March 18 is National Child Exploitation Awareness Day, when Sussex Police pledge to continue to protect those most at risk and prevent harm by challenging behaviors, seeking to new and condemning the perpetrators.
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Source: www.theargus.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-03-17 19:07:47
