Man jailed for 'sickening' child sex offences

Dennis Gartsen may face deportation back to his native Netherlands

A man who carried out a series of "sickening" sex offences against a child has been jailed.

Dennis Gartsen, from Boston, pleaded guilty to 15 charges, including two counts of rape of a girl under 13 and six counts of assault by touching of a girl under 13.

Gartsen also admitted two counts of assault of a girl under 13 by penetration, three counts of making of an indecent photograph of a child, possession of a prohibited image of a child, and possession of extreme pornographic images.

The 43-year-old was jailed for 12 years and nine months at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday and will serve an additional four years on licence.

Gartsen was also handed a sexual harm prevention order and an application for his deportation back to his native Netherlands has been submitted.

A further two charges of rape of a girl under 13 will be kept on his record.

Lincolnshire Police said Gartsen handed himself in at Boston Police Station in August 2023 after being confronted by adults the victim had told about the incidents, which took place between December 2021 and August 2023.

Det Con Sarah Oliver said the victim's family was "completely devastated" by Gartsen's "sickening actions".

"Throughout this testing process, the child and her family have demonstrated remarkable courage and resilience," she added.

"We hope this ruling offers some measure of conclusion after what can only be described as a most horrific and unimaginable chapter of their lives."

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