Builder's sexual assault traumatised his victim after bedroom attacks

Daniel Pearson touched the girl indecently on at least two occasions after climbing into bed beside her.

The 38-year-old denied carrying out the acts more than five years ago but was convicted following a trial late last year.

Aisha Wadoodi, prosecuting, said the attacks had left the victim traumatised and she was unable to talk about it until several years later.

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Miss Wadoodi said the complainant's victim personal statement said she had suffered psychological damage from what the defendant did to her when he climbed into bed and touched her intimately.

Daniel Pearson

Pearson, of Skelton Drive, Marske, was found guilty of two charges of sexual assault on a child following his trial.

Mark Styles, in mitigation, said: "He had his trial and was convicted by the jury.

"He has lost his good name, he is 38 years of age and it is clear it has had a significant impact on him.

"He has to deal with the aftermath and he has to deal with those around him.

"Sending him to custody would be a crushing blow."

Mr Styles told the court that the self-employed builder had a number of references, including from the boss of company he regulary worked for, as well as family and friends.

Judge Stephen Ashurst told Pearson that despite having committed no further offences since the sexual assaults, a custodial sentence was inevitable.

He said: “On two occasions you behaved indecently with her; you were sleeping behind her and tried to put your hands inside her pyjama bottoms.

“It is a matter of regret in this this incident that these complaints made in 2019 have not been resolved until 2021.

“The impact on her has been significant and she tried not to let it impact on her at school – she tried to block it out. She had to try to come up with different ways of coping - drinking too much and self-harming.”

Sentencing him to three years in prison, the judge added: “She had to live with what you did for years and has had to suffer in silence.”

Pearson was also issued with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and ordered to sign on the sex offenders' register until further notice.

He added: "You remain in denial and contested it in front of a jury. I accept that the conviction has had a significant impact on you and your relationship."