PHILIP CAST FROM TILBURY SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF GIRL UNDER 16

In a case that has shocked the community of Tilbury, Essex, Philip Cast, aged 48, was sentenced to a total of eight years in prison after being found guilty of multiple counts of sexual abuse involving a young girl under the age of 16. The sentencing took place at Basildon Crown Court on a recent Wednesday, where Judge Samantha Leigh delivered a stern judgment against Cast, condemning his actions and emphasizing the severity of his crimes.

According to court records, Cast was convicted of six separate counts of engaging in sexual activity with a minor. The abuse spanned a period of approximately two years, beginning in November 2015 and continuing through to 2017. The court heard that the offences occurred within the town of Tilbury, where Cast resided or frequented during the time of the abuse.

Details of the case revealed that Cast engaged in inappropriate sexual touching of the girl, who was under 16 at the time. One of the counts involved sexual assault on at least 50 separate occasions, highlighting the repeated nature of the abuse. Another count detailed that Cast had sexually abused the girl on at least 20 additional occasions during the same period, underscoring the extent of his misconduct.

Judge Leigh expressed her outrage at the case, stating that the victim’s courage in coming forward was instrumental in bringing Cast to justice. The judge explained that the abuse was uncovered after the girl, during a conversation with her mother, used a term that described a paedophile. This word prompted the victim to reveal the suffering she had endured, which ultimately led to the investigation and subsequent conviction.

Cast, who was described as having no fixed address at the time, admitted to all six counts of abuse in September of the previous year. During the sentencing, Judge Leigh addressed him directly, condemning his predatory behavior. She remarked, “You would take advantage of her whenever you felt like it, touching her.” She also noted the emotional impact on the victim and her family, referencing a victim impact statement that clearly illustrated the trauma inflicted.

In addition to his prison sentence, Cast was ordered to serve five years on licence following his release. He has also been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and is subject to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which aims to restrict his contact with children and prevent further harm.

Detective Constable Dean Batson, from Essex Police’s Child Sexual Abuse Investigation Team, commented on the case, saying, “Cast has been jailed for sexually abusing a girl over two years. The victim has shown a great deal of courage and bravery. She helped provide evidence and has assisted our officers with our investigation. These are horrible crimes committed against a vulnerable child, and this is reflected in the length of the sentence. The conviction also demonstrates our commitment to bringing offenders like Cast to justice while supporting victims and their families.”