A Peterborough man has been jailed for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl more than 20 years ago. David Marriott, 63, approached the teenager from behind while she was playing on a slot machine at a house in Peterborough in 2003. He unclasped her bra and touched her inappropriately under her clothes.
The offence came to light years later when the victim confided in family members and asked for Marriott to be held accountable.
Marriott, of Rushton Avenue, denied the allegation, calling it “untrue” and refusing to speculate why it had been made. However, he was found guilty of indecent assault on a girl under 16 following a trial at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court in June.
He was sentenced to two years and four months in prison at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday (22 August).
Detective Constable Helen Keighley, from the 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 shows that we will always take allegations of this nature seriously, no matter how much time has passed.”
Police are reminding people that anyone concerned about a potential risk to a child can make an enquiry through Sarah’s Law, which allows parents, carers, family members and others responsible for a child’s welfare to request information about individuals who may pose a danger.
For more information and advice about child abuse, visit the police force’s dedicated webpage.
