Man jailed 20 years after sexually assaulting girl

David Marriott, 63, was jailed at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday

A 63-year-old man has been jailed for two years and four months for sexually assaulting a teenager more than 20 years ago.

David Marriott, from Peterborough, approached a 14-year-old girl from behind, unclasping her bra and touching her inappropriately as she played in the garage of a home in the city in 2003.

The victim confided in family members about what had happened.

He was found guilty of indecent assault following a trial in June and was sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday.

Marriott denied the offence, and police said he claimed the allegation was "untrue" and chose "not to speculate on why the allegation" was made.

Det Con Helen Keighley, from the force's child abuse investigation and safeguarding unit, said: "Marriott thought he had got away with sexually assaulting a young, vulnerable girl all those years ago.

"I hope this sentence brings closure for the victim, and that it allows her to move forward with her life.

"I also hope it shows that we will always take allegations of this nature seriously, and will work to bring offenders to justice, despite how long has passed since the crime took place."