MICHAEL PENA FROM BRIGGS SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN ESSEX

In a case that has shocked the local community, Michael Pena, a former teaching assistant from Briggs, has been sentenced to prison for the sexual assault of a child under the age of 13. The incident came to light in March 2019 when Essex Police officers, specifically members of the Child Abuse Investigation Teams (CAIT), responded swiftly to a report of the offence. Pena, aged 25 at the time, was promptly arrested shortly after the allegations surfaced, marking the beginning of a lengthy and complex investigation into the matter.

Following extensive inquiries, charges were formally brought against Pena in October 2019. The legal process was protracted, with Pena-Briggs facing his initial trial at Chelmsford Crown Court in May 2021. However, that trial ended inconclusively as the jury was unable to reach a verdict, resulting in a hung jury. This necessitated a retrial, which commenced last month, bringing renewed hope for justice.

During the retrial, the evidence against Pena was thoroughly examined, and the jury deliberated diligently. It took less than two hours for the jury to reach a unanimous guilty verdict. The court proceedings culminated on Monday when Judge handed down a sentence of four years in prison to Pena. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, a measure that underscores the severity of the crime and the ongoing risk to the community.

This case highlights the persistent efforts of Essex law enforcement to protect vulnerable children and ensure that offenders are held accountable. The community of Briggs and the wider Essex area can find some reassurance in the fact that justice has been served, although the scars of such crimes often remain long after sentencing.