Wrexham,North Wales - Man jailed after admitting sex assault on young girl

Published date: 29 January 2016 | 

Published by: Staff reporter
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A YOUNG man has been jailed for nine years after he sexually assaulted a vulnerable primary school pupil.

Sean Latham, 22, of Newton Lodge in Wrexham, had denied the offences initially but returned to court in November and admitted two charges of assaulting a girl under the age of 13 by penetration, and three charges of sexual assault.

Mold Crown Court heard yesterday how the victim was vulnerable but fortunately reported the matter to her mother on the day the offences occurred.

Latham was warned by the judge that the starting point the offences against such a young girl was 11 years after trial – with a range of between seven and 

15 years.

If he had been convicted after trial then the sentence would have been one of 12 years but it would be reduced because of his guilty pleas, said Mr Recorder Simon Mills.

In addition to the nine year sentence, the judge extended his licence by a year which meant that he would remain on licence for a total of ten years.

Mr Mills warned him that he could apply for parole after serving half his sentence.

But if the parole board did not consider it was safe to release him he may not be released until he served the full term.

Latham was ordered to register with the police as a sex offender indefinitely and he was made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order indefinitely to curb his future activities.

The judge said that he took the view that there had been an element of grooming.

“This was serious sexual misconduct against a vulnerable child,” he said.

It was very serious offending and involved sexual penetration on two occasions, an incident of oral sex and he slapped her on her naked bum.

His behaviour had a significant impact – a massive effect – on her life.

Initially, he denied doing anything, pleaded not guilty and put forward a defence statement which effectively accused the victim of lying.

But in the face of overwhelming evidence he returned to court in November and admitted what he had done.

The judge described the defendant’s plea as being entered “grudgingly” on legal advice.

In his pre-sentence report he denied committing the offence and said he did not recall what happened.

He had read a medical report. He said that the defendant may be depressed but he was not clinically depressed.

Latham told how he drank alcohol to excess but the judge said alcohol was not a factor in the offence.

Matthew Curtis, prosecuting, said the girl was in discomfort and her mother asked her about it. Latham was arrested the same night.

John Hedgecoe, defending, said they had been courageous pleas by Latham who had been advised of the level of sentence he was likely to receive.

It was clear his family was concerned about his mental health and a helpful medical report medical report had been prepared.

see-http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/157933/wrexham-man-jailed-after-admitting-sex-assault-on-young-girl.aspx