KEITH LIGHT SENTENCED IN NEWPORT FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

In October 2004, Keith Light, a 68-year-old man from Newport, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting to nine sexual offences involving a young girl. Light expressed concerns that he may never see his wife again, describing his actions as similar to an addiction and an illness. "I did not want to do it, I just could not help it," he told police and probation officers.

At the Isle of Wight Crown Court on Thursday, Light pleaded guilty to four counts of gross indecency with a girl under 16, four counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14, and one count of indecent assault on a girl under 13, all under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Judge Richard Price extended his license period to ten years and ordered that Light be placed on the Sex Offenders' Register.

Prosecutor Adam Hiddleston stated that Light admitted to officers that he had become obsessed with the girl, asking her to remove her underwear while he watched, and on some occasions, touching her. Heather Frith, representing Light, said his wife of 48 years was seriously ill and that Light did not expect to see her again after leaving the court. She also noted that Light had shown extreme remorse for his actions.