GORDON NICHOLAS GRIFFIN SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN CROSS KEYS

In a case that has shocked the community of Cross Keys, a man named Gordon Nicholas Griffin was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of indecently assaulting a ten-year-old girl over a decade ago. The incident, which took place in 1990 at Griffin's residence on Park Street, only came to light recently due to a revelation made by Griffin himself during a telephone conversation with his ex-wife last year.

According to court proceedings, Griffin, now aged 57, disclosed disturbing details about his sexual fantasies, which prompted his ex-wife to report him to the police. The investigation uncovered that the assault had occurred at Griffin's home in Cross Keys, aligning with one of his admitted fantasies. The prosecution, led by Jonathan Austin, explained that the young girl had been using the phone at Griffin's house to listen to a chatline advertised in a magazine. During this time, Griffin, a former soldier, invited her to sit on his knee so he could listen in on her phone call.

Mr. Austin described how the girl felt increasingly uncomfortable as Griffin began to kiss her on the back of her neck. The situation was interrupted when Griffin was disturbed by a noise, bringing the assault to an end. The court heard that Griffin's actions were deeply inappropriate and caused significant distress to the young girl.

Defending Griffin, solicitor Hilary Roberts acknowledged that Griffin had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and emphasized that he had no prior convictions. She explained that Griffin had been drinking at the time, which she suggested might have contributed to his disinhibition, though she clarified that this was not an excuse for his behavior. Roberts also highlighted Griffin's health issues, including a serious road accident ten years earlier that prevented him from working full-time, as well as a recent diagnosis of bowel cancer.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall, QC, sentenced Griffin to nine months in prison, expressing society's profound disgust at the offense. The judge remarked on the darker aspects of Griffin's character, noting that these had been evident for over ten years and that Griffin had spoken about them in a manner that suggested some form of gloating. As part of his sentence, Griffin is required to register as a sex offender for ten years and is disqualified from working with children for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the community's need for protection.