A 62-year-old Leicestershire man has been jailed for sexually assaulting a girl under six several years ago.
Kevin Marriott, previously of Coalville, Leicestershire, sexually assaulted the child at an address in Daventry.
Following the offence, he told her not to tell anyone.
However in 2021, the woman in question bravely contacted police to tell them what had happened to her as a child.
An investigation was launched and Marriott was charged with one count of indecent assault on a girl under 16, and one count of assaulting a girl under 16 by penetration.
After pleading not guilty to the offences and taking the case to a three-day trial at Northampton Crown Court last November, Marriott was found unanimously guilty by the jury.
He returned to the same court last week (January 15) where he was sentenced to seven years – six years to serve in prison and one on licence. He will also be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
Lead Investigator – Detective Constable Hannah Roche said: “I am pleased to see Kevin Marriott jailed and I hope it provides the young woman in this case with some comfort.
“She carried what Marriott did to her for years and I cannot commend her bravery in coming forward highly enough.
“Although nothing will take away the memory of what happened, she can be proud of herself that a child sex offender is now in prison because of her courage in speaking out.
“Kevin Marriott thought he had evaded justice. He showed no remorse throughout the investigation and despite the overwhelming evidence against him, decided to take the case to a trial. Thankfully the jury saw through his lies and he has now been convicted and sent to prison.”