Man jailed after sexually assaulting girl under 13

Martin Fawcett has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a girl under 13

A Lincolnshire man has been jailed for six and a half years for sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13.

Martin Fawcett, 55, of Cluttons Close, Crowland, near Peterborough, had previously been found guilty of carrying out the assault in December 2022.

He was also convicted of breaching an interim sexual harm prevention order after he failed to let police enter his home.

Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight, passing sentence on Friday at Lincoln Crown Court, told Fawcett his behaviour was "cynical and manipulative".

Fawcett – who had declined to give evidence during his trial – was made the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order that prevents contact with the victim and her family.

The judge said his victim still did not trust men as a result of his abuse.

Addressing him, she said: "You have expressed no remorse and have been shaking your head during my sentencing remarks."

'Sickening' behaviour

Denney Lau, prosecuting, read out an impact statement from the victim's father.

He described his fears that his daughter would suffer further trauma growing up and that the family had been forced to move as a result of the assault.

The court was told Fawcett had previous convictions for engaging in sexual activity in front of a child in 2005 and exposure in 2009.

Hal Ewing, in mitigation for Fawcett, said he had complied with sexual harm prevention orders in the past.

"His previous convictions are a long time ago – some 16 years ago," he added.

Speaking after the original trial, Det Con Katherine Brennan had said Fawcett's behaviour was "sickening".

"Children represent the most vulnerable people in our society and his actions show a disregard for his victim's age and wellbeing," she said.

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