GEORGE LONG ROCHFORD PENSIONER SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In February 2007, a disturbing incident involving a 13-year-old girl and a pensioner named George Long unfolded in Rochford, raising serious concerns about community safety and justice. The young girl, whose identity remains protected by law, was initially hired by Long, 78, of Craven Close, Rochford, to assist with household chores. She responded to an advertisement displayed in a local shop window, which led her to Long's residence for what was supposed to be a simple cleaning job.

What began as innocent greetings—kisses exchanged during the initial encounters—soon took a troubling turn. The girl reported that Long, instead of maintaining appropriate boundaries, dragged her onto his lap. During this inappropriate contact, Long placed his hand under her shirt, attempting to 'play' with her belly button. He also instructed her not to tell anyone about what had transpired, a clear attempt to silence her and conceal his misconduct.

Long later pleaded guilty in Basildon Crown Court to charges of sexual touching involving the young girl. Despite the gravity of his actions, the court sentenced him to a community order for three years and ordered him to pay legal costs amounting to £200. Notably, the court did not require Long to pay any compensation to the victim, who has since undergone counseling to cope with the trauma.

Outside the courtroom, the girl's father expressed his profound disappointment and frustration with the sentencing. He described the community order as a 'joke' and emphasized that justice had not been fully served. He stated, "My daughter has been wronged and this hasn’t put it right. She hasn’t put it behind her at all. She still worries." The father also voiced his disapproval of the possibility that Long might not face imprisonment, citing the overcrowded prison system as a reason for the leniency. "I had hoped they would put him in prison, but that was never going to happen with the prisons being full. I’m not impressed," he added.

Prosecutor Clare Ashcroft explained that the girl had contacted her mother to be collected from Long’s house after the initial cuddles and kisses became 'lingering,' which frightened her. Long, in his police statement, claimed that his actions were not sexually motivated, attempting to downplay the severity of his misconduct.

Defense attorney Chloe Newell expressed remorse on behalf of Long, stating that he regretted the distress caused to the girl. She highlighted that Long had pleaded guilty to avoid forcing the girl to testify, and she appealed for leniency due to his age and poor health.

Judge Brooke addressed Long directly, warning him about the seriousness of his actions. While he clarified that he could not impose a ban on Long hiring young girls in the future, he strongly advised him to refrain from employing teenage cleaners again. The judge emphasized the potential consequences Long could have faced, saying, "You will leave here in no doubt you could have been sent to prison today."

As part of his sentence, Long will be under probation for three years, required to complete a community sex offenders' program, and will be subject to six-monthly reports to the court. Additionally, Long has been placed on the sex offenders' register for five years, marking a significant legal record of his misconduct.