MAN JAILED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Benjamin Sharp, 43, of York Road in Wallasey, was found guilty in Liverpool Crown Court of several sexual offences involving a young girl.The abuse took place while the girl was between seven and nine years old.
Sharp engaged in ongoing sexual misconduct, including making inappropriate comments like saying he would marry her if she was older.
During their playtime interactions, he took her into private rooms, removed her clothing, and stared at her.
On one occasion, he took her into a disabled toilet, where he placed her hand on his penis beneath his clothing and touched her over her clothes.
The court was informed that Sharp falsely claimed he was helping the girl unblock a toilet when they left the bathroom together.
Judge David Knifton KC described Sharp’s behaviour as leading the girl to feel uncomfortable and unable to report what was happening, which resulted in repeated abuse.
The judge noted that Sharp had placed her hand on his genitals over his clothing and touched her over her clothes in a bathroom setting.
Additionally, Sharp admitted to kissing the girl’s bare chest.
Defence lawyer Stella Hayden described Sharp as naïve and immature, highlighting the absence of recent offending and his law-abiding life since.
Despite this, the judge sentenced him to four years of incarceration and imposed a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
During sentencing, the judge considered Sharp’s age, lack of prior convictions, and the possibility that this might be his first prison sentence.
The court also emphasized the severe emotional impact on the victim, who struggled with concentration, achieving qualifications, building self-confidence, and trust issues following the abuse.
The judge pointed out that Sharp’s deceit and grooming prevented the girl from reporting her experiences, which caused long-term emotional damage.
