A RETIRED builder has been jailed after admitting repeated sexual assaults on a young girl.
Richard Clay, 64, of Beeches in Waltham Abbey, admitted that his assaults on the girl began when she was only 12, and went on for more than a year.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard that Clay befriended the girl, identified in court as Girl A, while carrying out building work on her family’s home in Roydon.
Clay assaulted the girl in his home and in his van, encouraging her to strip, touching her inappropriately, allowing her to touch him and performing oral sex on her.
After police arrested him, they found several videos of the girl, along with videos of two women that were made without their consent and filmed while they were undressed in their homes and gardens.
Prosecuting barrister Richard Stevens told the court: “From May 2001 to December 2002, there were quite a number of offences being committed. Girl A herself in her statement uses the word ‘numerous’.
“The reality is that the prosecution don’t know with any degree of certainty the number of offences involved.”
Neil Fitzgibbon said in mitigation: “At the time, Clay was at a very low ebb with his marriage and was being prescribed anti-depressant medication.
“He has lived with the guilt of what he did and also he’s had to face family and friends.”
He said Clay’s 34-year marriage had broken down since the offences took place and he now had a new partner.
Judge Christopher Ball QC said the girl targeted by Clay had been particularly vulnerable at the time of the assaults.
“She was desperate for attention because of difficulties in her life,” he told Clay.
“Over the course of 18 months or so, you exploited that in a sexual way – a way that any man in his mid-50s would know is totally wrong.
“Whatever your problems at home, they do not justify your behaviour.”
Clay pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault and was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
He waved at his friends and family in court as he was led away.
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