REPREHENSIBLE MAN CONVICTED OF ABUSING THREE-YEAR-OLD GIRL
A man from Axminster has been convicted of sexually abusing a three-year-old girl, who became one of the youngest witnesses to testify in a criminal case.The young girl was recorded on video as she described to police how Robert Grimshaw entered her bedroom during the night and touched her private parts.
Grimshaw, aged 29 and residing in Foxhills, Axminster, had arrived at the girl’s parents’ home in Devon following an argument with his girlfriend, and was supposed to be staying in a different room for the night.
Using body maps, the girl indicated to specially trained officers what Grimshaw had done.
Her cross-examination was pre-recorded and presented to the jury, so she did not need to appear physically in court at Exeter Crown Court.
The defendant denied two charges of sexual assault, but the jury found him guilty.
Sentencing will follow after probation reports are completed.
Prosecutor Mr Peter Coombe stated that the incidents occurred on January 9, 2020, when Grimshaw unexpectedly arrived at the parents’ home in East Devon and was permitted to stay overnight.
That night, the girl woke her mother to remove a Toy Story video that Grimshaw had played as he touched her.
She initially did not disclose the abuse.
The following day, she told her mother, and days later, she was interviewed by police via video recording.
She revealed she no longer watches Toy Story because it reminds her of that night.
Her parents testified that the assault caused her significant distress, leading them to reorganise her room and set up trip wires to prevent intruders from reaching her bed.
Forensic analysis of her pyjamas detected Grimshaw’s DNA on the inside.
He claimed to have handled the garments after they were left outside her door and denied any assault.
His conviction was unanimous.
Judge David Evans noted that the verdict was based on compelling evidence and scheduled sentencing for March.
A report on the girl’s ongoing emotional state will be prepared for that hearing, and court-ordered counselling will commence immediately as she has been unable to access it during the trial process.
