WARD GIROUX FROM CHALDON NEAR CATERHAM SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRL AT GUILDFORD CROWN COURT

In a serious case that has shocked the community, Ward Giroux, a 49-year-old man from Fryern Wood, Chaldon, near Caterham, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for multiple charges of sexual assault involving a young girl. The sentencing took place at Guildford Crown Court on Tuesday, August 27, following Giroux's guilty plea to three counts of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13, as well as one count of sexual assault on a female.

According to court proceedings, Giroux engaged in inappropriate and abusive behavior towards the young girl on several occasions between April and September of 2012. The court heard that his misconduct continued even after the girl had turned into a teenager earlier this year. During one of these incidents, Giroux instructed the girl to pretend she was his girlfriend, then proceeded to put his arm around her and touched her breast. This act was part of a pattern of inappropriate touching that spanned several months.

Prosecutor Alisdair Smith detailed how Giroux had touched the girl multiple times, including stroking clothing over her thigh and breasts, under the guise of offering her a 'massage' to help her relax. These acts were described as predatory and deeply troubling. The court was also informed that Giroux acknowledged his attraction to the girl when he was arrested, accepting responsibility for his actions.

Following the girl’s disclosure of the abuse to her parents, Giroux sent her a text message apologizing for his 'stupid behavior' and implying that he would not repeat such conduct in the future. Prosecutor Smith noted that this message indicated Giroux’s awareness of the wrongfulness of his actions and his attempt to mitigate the situation.

Throughout the proceedings, Giroux maintained a bowed head as the facts of the case and his defense were read out. His defense lawyer, Saul Herman, requested that Giroux be considered for a community sentence rather than a custodial sentence, citing Giroux’s remorse and low risk of re-offending. Herman emphasized Giroux’s character, stating, “May I express on behalf of Mr Giroux his remorse and great shame, for the devastation he has wreaked. He presents a very low risk of re-offending, lower than some 80-plus percent of other offenders.”

Despite these pleas, Judge Suzan Matthews sentenced Giroux to 18 months for each of the charges, to run concurrently. The judge expressed her concern about the young girl’s confusion and distress, noting how she must have been 'perplexed and puzzled' by Giroux’s inappropriate attention. She stated, “You became sexually besotted with her and allowed your feelings to become completely inappropriate and cross boundaries you knew were there. It must have been difficult for her to find the words to tell her mum and dad.”

Judge Matthews also praised the girl for her articulate and sensible response to the situation. While acknowledging Giroux’s remorse, she imposed a 10-year sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits him from living in the same house as any girl under 16 unless it is his own daughter. The order also bans him from having any unsupervised contact with girls aged 16 or under unless it is accidental.

Concluding her sentence, the judge remarked, “I hope your Christian conscience tells you to accept your punishment,” emphasizing the gravity of the offense and the importance of accountability in such cases.