Northampton man who confessed in jail sentenced for sex crimes

While he was already in prison, Robert Kennedy admitted to further sexual offences dating from the 1990s

A man who confessed in prison to sexually assaulting a young girl has been given another jail term.

Robert Elliot Edward Kennedy was serving a sentence for similar offences when he told a prison officer about further crimes committed in Corby, Northamptonshire, in the 1990s.

He has been given a further jail sentence of six years.

The police paid tribute to the victim, who agreed to support Kennedy's prosecution.

Northampton Crown Court heard that, following Kennedy's confession, the police traced the victim, who was now an adult living in a different part of the country.

The woman agreed to support the case and explained how Kennedy had subjected her to numerous sexual assaults over a two-year period while she was under the age of 10.

Kennedy, previously of Northampton, pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault and one count of gross indecency.

On top of the jail term, he was given an extended sentence of two years on licence.

It means that he would be eligible for parole after four years and, if released, he would serve four further years on licence.

The lead investigator, Det Con Ivan Bentley, said: "I first of all want to pay tribute to the woman in this case who, as a result of this investigation, has had to relive the abuse she suffered as a child more than 20 years on.

"Reporting sexual abuse is never easy and I can't stress that point enough.

"I hope this case shows how seriously we take it and how determined we are to get justice."