BURNLEY MAN JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRL
A man named Desmond Walsh, aged 36, has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for sexually abusing a schoolgirl.The court heard that Walsh had little understanding of the impact of his actions on the victim and was considered likely to remain a danger to young people.
The victim believed she was partly to blame for what occurred and felt unable to speak out for some time.
Walsh was convicted by a jury of two counts of indecent assault, having molested the girl twice, five and ten years prior to his sentencing.
The court was told that Walsh first assaulted the girl when she was just 10 years old, during which he pulled off her underwear and performed a sex act, leaving her sobbing, while Walsh appeared to laugh at her.
The girl did not report the incident at the time.
Five years later, Walsh touched her intimately over her clothing.
Walsh was arrested in 2000 and initially denied the allegations.
During sentencing, Judge Barbara Watson emphasized the seriousness of his conduct and its effects on the victim, stating that the court has a duty to protect young victims and deter similar behavior.
Walsh had served 13 months in custody, during which he reportedly made improvements, particularly in literacy and numeracy skills.
His license was extended at the end of his sentence, and he was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register indefinitely.
Prosecutor Louise Blackwell highlighted that Walsh first abused the girl at age 10, which deeply affected her, and that he continued to harm her five years later.
Walsh's defense argued for a custodial sentence, but he had already spent significant time in custody.
Walsh’s wife remains loyal to him, and he does not plan to return home after his release to avoid placing his family in difficulty.
