CHRISTOPHER OGIER SENTENCED IN GUERNSEY FOR MULTIPLE SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG GIRL

In March 2018, the Royal Court of Guernsey handed down a significant prison sentence to Christopher Ogier, a 67-year-old man convicted of multiple sexual offences committed against a young girl. The court found Ogier guilty of five separate charges related to sexual misconduct involving the minor, with the offences spanning a period of two years from 2014 to 2016. These crimes took place when the victim was under the age of 13, highlighting the severity and heinous nature of the offenses.

Ogier was sentenced to a total of five years in prison, with the sentence to run concurrently from May 15, 2017, the date he was first remanded into custody. The court detailed that the offences included acts such as indecent assault, gross indecency, and incitement to commit acts of gross indecency. It was revealed that Ogier had previously been incarcerated for a similar offence involving indecent assault against another young girl in November 2016, which occurred after the offences for which he was currently being sentenced.

During the trial, Ogier claimed that the victim was lying, asserting that she only came forward after he was jailed for the separate offence. The court heard that the victim had kept the incidents bottled up and described the experience as the worst she had ever endured in her life. The judge, Russell Finch, addressed Ogier directly, stating, “This was grooming, and repeat offences show ‘moral corruption’. The worst thing is your continued denial; which is disturbing.”

Because Ogier pleaded not guilty, the victim was required to testify in court, which was a traumatic experience for her. A victim impact report indicated that the young girl was profoundly affected by the trial proceedings. While she felt some relief upon the guilty verdict, she expressed that she would never feel comfortable around older men, underscoring the lasting emotional scars caused by Ogier’s actions.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Finch emphasized the gravity of Ogier’s crimes, describing them as a wicked exploitation of a young girl at a vulnerable age. The court sentenced Ogier to three years and three months for the most serious charge of indecent assault. When combined with the other convictions, his total prison term was set at five years. Additionally, Ogier received an extended sentence of five years and a notification period of ten years, reflecting the ongoing risk he poses to the community.

Overall, the court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which Guernsey’s legal system treats sexual offences against minors, and the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals from predatory behavior.