A man has been given a suspended prison sentence for sexually assaulting a schoolgirl.
Paul Henderson’s face was said by his victim to suddenly go serious and creepy as he committed the act.
Carlisle Crown Court heard 55-year-old Henderson started touching and tapping the girl’s bottom before sexual contact continued and he said: “You like it, don’t you?” He then kissed the girl on the lips.
Messages later recovered by police showed Henderson had said the girl was beautiful and that he wished he was 14 or 15 so he could spend a day with her, said prosecutor Paul Brookwell.
The girl immediately reported the crime and in the aftermath Henderson, of Firth View Walk, Workington, drove into the Lake District.
When located by police having gone missing for 12 hours, he described having felt suicidal and also said: “I have done something I shouldn’t have done. I know what I did. I dunno, it was just like a switch.”
Henderson — a man with no previous criminal convictions — fully admitted the offence when interviewed. In court he pleaded guilty to a charge of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with the girl.
As Henderson was sentenced today, a judge learned of the huge impact of his crime from the victim herself as she read aloud a statement in the court witness box.
“I would like to face the defendant when reading this,” she said. “Since this incident I have been anxious about everything. I just can’t shut my mind off about it all. I just can’t believe what’s happened.”
Henderson deeply regretted what occurred and his barrister, Daniel Bramhall, said: “That, in my submission, is indicative of the fact that he immediately felt shameful. As he told police and told others, he was disgusted in himself.”
Henderson was absolutely terrified by the prospect of prison, and Mr Bramhall added: “He accepts it was foolish, it was stupid; he simply can’t give any explanation as to why the offence took place.”
After reading background information and character references, Recorder Eric Lamb concluded there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, and suspended a six-month jail term for 18 months.
Henderson must complete supervision and 30 days’ work with the probation service. He must sign the sex offenders’ register — and comply with the strict terms of a prevention order, both for seven years.
Of the girl’s statement, the judge told Henderson: “You have been in court to hear the consequences of your selfish, sexual act.”
He added: “What took place was an aberration that you are now utterly unable to explain.”
