Northampton man, 66, jailed after third child sex attack conviction

Michael Plunkett denied sexual assault but was found guilty by a jury

A man has been given a 10-year extended sentence after he was convicted of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13.

Michael Plunkett, 66, and from Little Billing, Northampton, will serve five years in custody and five years on extended licence.

Northamptonshire Police said Plunkett had two previous convictions for sexual offences against children.

The force described the sentence as a "fantastic result".

On 18 May 2023, Northamptonshire Police received a report from the victim's mother that Plunkett, of Hanemill Court, had sexually assaulted her young child the previous evening.

He was arrested and Northamptonshire Police's Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) began an investigation, which resulted in Plunkett being charged with sexually assaulting a girl under 13 by touching.

Plunkett lived at Hanemill Court in Little Billing, Northampton

He denied the charge when he appeared at Northampton Magistrates' Court on 20 May 2023, but a jury found him guilty following his trial at Northampton Crown Court in November.

At his sentencing hearing at the same court, Plunkett, who has two previous convictions for sexual offences against children, was given an extended sentence by the judge.

He was placed on the sex offenders' register for life and is also subject to a sexual harm prevention order, which banned him from unsupervised contact with any female under the age of 16.

He was also banned from working with children and vulnerable adults.

CAIU Sgt Stephen Wells said: "This is a fantastic result against a significant and serious sexual predator.

"Michael Plunkett did not care about the harm he caused to this young child, and I am very pleased to see him receive this significant sentence which reflects the seriousness of his offending.

"I would like to pay tribute to the survivor in this case, and also express my thanks to the investigating officer who worked hard to both support the victim and their family, and to ensure the evidence presented to the jury left them in no doubt of Plunkett's guilt."