RUSSEL THORNTON/RUSSEL GADSBY

MAN JAILED OVER SEX ASSAULTS OF GIRLS AS YOUNG AS 13

A man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting three teenage girls.

Russel Thornton, 38, abused the girls on separate occasions between 2014 and 2020, with one of his victims being 13 at the time, Derbyshire Police said.

Thornton, of Burdiehouse, Edinburgh - who previously lived in Derby - denied the allegations but was found guilty of five sexual assault charges relating to girls aged 13 to 15.

The victims, now women in their 20s, spoke in court of the trauma Thornton's abuse caused them as children, and how it continued to affect them years after, police added.

Det Con Tracey Cass said: "This has been a long road for the survivors in this case, and I would like to thank the three women for their bravery and stoicism throughout.

"I would also like to encourage others who have been affected by such offending, now or in the past, to report it to us if you feel able." Thornton was found guilty during the trial in November of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15, causing or inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15.

He was also handed a 15-year sexual harm prevention order, and put on the sex offenders register for life, during sentencing at Derby Crown Court on Thursday.